Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli is backing Bradford City to stay up 'with ease' this season.

City survived in their first Premiership campaign only by beating Liverpool in their last match of the season, but, after seeing City deservedly beat his multi-talented team 2-0 at Valley Parade last night, Vialli said: "Bradford are clearly a better team than last season.

"They have got experienced and quality players and I think it will be easy for them to stay up this season. I hope it won't be just Chelsea who come here and lose."

The Chelsea manager was also full of praise for his Italian friend Benito Carbone who scored City's second goal on a memorable home debut.

"I think he played a fantastic match," said Vialli. "In my opinion he was the best man on the field. He was skilful, effective and consistent, qualities you sometimes need."

City manager Chris Hutchings also praised Carbone's performance. "He is a quality player," he said. "That's why we signed him. People have said one or two things abut him, but all he wants to do is to play football.

"He has got that unpredictability at times and that is something we need. He showed us something we have been missing.

"Benito has worked hard and he will continue to work hard. He still can be fitter and stronger and I hope there is a lot more to come from him."

Hutchings was delighted with the victory, but added a word of caution.

He said: "It was a very good performance and I was delighted with it. I thought we could have gone in two or three goals up at half-time.

"I was very pleased with the way we passed the ball and moved and we also defended well, but we are not getting carried away. It is only one game."