Reuters
London, Sept 23: Manchester City produced a blistering first half performance to win 4-1 at Sunderland in the League Cup third round Tuesday, inflicting more misery on Dick Advocaat’s struggling side.
There were also victories for Leicester City, who needed extra time to beat West Ham United 2-1, Aston Villa, who won 1-0 at home to local rivals Birmingham City, and Everton who came from behind to beat Reading 2-1.
There was never even a hint of an upset in the offing at Sunderland, whose lack of confidence after a poor start to the season was ruthlessly exposed by a rampant City.
Black Cats coach Advocaat was feted as a hero after steering the northeast club to safety last season, but his star has waned at the start of the current campaign as his side is without a win in six Premier League games.
They fell behind after nine minutes to a Sergio Aguero penalty after Patrick van Aanholt clattered into Jesus Navas and the Argentine forward dispatched the spot- kick with a deft chip.
The floodgates then opened as three goals in 11 minutes from Kevin de Bruyne, an own goal by Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone and a Raheem Sterling strike put City 4-0 ahead at half time, before Ola Toivonen headed a consolation in the second half for the hosts.
Swansea were the only Premier League team to exit at the hands of lower league opposition as Hull’s David Meyler struck four minutes before half time for the side relegated from the top flight last season. The midfielder stretched for a rebound and swept the ball into the corner four minutes before the interval to seal the tie.
Everton avoided a similarly embarrassing fate as second half goals from Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu helped them come back to beat Championship side Reading.
Villa’s Midlands clash at home to Birmingham proved to be a predictably scrappy dogfight with the Premier League side having played poorly before Rudy Gestede powerfully headed Jordan Amavi’s cross into the net after 62 minutes.
Bournemouth went through on penalties after their match with second-tier Preston ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and 2-2 following extra time but Daniel Johnson failed to convert Preston’s fifth spot-kick, handing victory to the visitors.
Peter Crouch scored Stoke’s winner against Fulham in the first half, steering his finish home from 10 metres after a neat one-two in midfield.
In another game, Middlesbrough beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 in an all-Championship clash.
