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With 3 different goalscorers and an own goal, Manchester City sealed their passage to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup in style as Ola Toivonen only managed to get a consolation for Sunderland in the second half. Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and new boy Kevin De Bruyne’s strikes were aided by a Vito Mannone own goal.
While Robert Lewandowski scored 5 goals in 9 minutes elsewhere making every other scoreline look foolish, Manchester City still managed to grab some headlines for themselves. They grabbed the initiative early with a Sergio Aguero penalty after Jesus Navas was brought down in the box by former Chelsea defender Patrick van Aanholt.
Within 25 minutes of the game, the Sky Blues would find themselves leading by 3 goals as their new signing from Wolfsburg Kevin De Bruyne found himself on the scoresheet once again. The Belgian was played through by another City new boy Raheem Sterling, who would himself get on the scoresheet later in the game with De Bruyne playing him through on that occasion.
Between those 2 goals, Sterling was at the heart of a City attack again when the former Liverpool forward hit the post and eventually the ball would hit Vito Mannone and then the back of the net meaning it would be ruled as an own goal.
The Citizens did well to shake off the weekend’s disappointment when they lost to West Ham at home in the Premier League which was preceded by their loss in the Champions League to defending Italian champions Juventus. A welcome win for manager Manuel Pellegrini will be accompanied by nagging worries about Sergio Aguero’s form. The Argentine striker scored from the spot but also missed a sitter when he was clearly through on goal.
The miss was a strange sight coming from the man who delivered the 2011-12 Premier League title for Manchester City, and fans will hope that their main man will be back to his best against his favourite Premier League opponents Tottenham this weekend.
Round-up
In an all Championship fixture, Middlesbrough emerged 3-0 victors over Wolverhampton as Adomah’s brace and Fabbrini’s goal wrapped up that tie. However, newly promoted Bournemouth were made to fight for their 4th round place by Preston North End as MacDonald’s first half strike was cancelled out in the dying minutes of the game by Hugill. But Pugh scored for the Premier League side in extra time only to be once again rendered redundant by a 118th minute penalty that Johnson scored for Preston. Eddie Howe’s side would eventually go through 3-2 on penalties.
Another top flight side, Everton were made to struggle for their win as well. Blackman’s strike in the 36th minute put Reading ahead but two second half goals, one coming from Ross Barkley and a Gerard Deulofeu freekick put Roberto Martinez’s side in the next round.
One of the highlights of the night was the Birmingham derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham at Villa Park, the decider there was a Rudy Gestede goal to hand Tim Sherwood’s side a narrow 1-0 win.
All in all a pleasant outing for all Premier League sides as a Peter Crouch goal would be enough for Stoke to sneak past Fulham with a 1-0 away win. The only losers from the top flight were Swansea as David Meyler scored in the 41st minute to give Hull City the win and the Swans were left looking for an answer they could not find.
Leicester City would also just about sneak away with an extra time win against Premier League rivals West Ham. A Joe Dodoo goal for the Foxes was cancelled out by Mauro Zarate within 20 minutes and it would take an Andy King header in extra time to put the Hammers out and Claudio Ranieri;s side would march on.
