RECORD SIGNING KEVIN De Bruyne scored again as Manchester City crushed Sunderland 4-1 to reach the League Cup fourth round last night, but Swansea City fell to second-tier Hull City.
Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League season was abruptly ended by a 2-1 loss at home to West Ham United at the weekend, but Manuel Pellegrini’s team bounced back in style at the Stadium of Light.
They were 4-0 up inside 36 minutes through a ninth-minute Sergio Aguero penalty, De Bruyne’s second goal for the club, an own goal by Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone and a neat finish by Raheem Sterling.
Struggling Sunderland, bottom of the Premier League table after six games without victory, replied courtesy of an 83rd-minute header by close-season signing Ola Toivonen.
Swansea lost to a 41st-minute David Meyler strike at Hull, who were relegated from the Premier League in May, to become the second top-flight team to be knocked out of this season’s tournament after second-round casualties Watford.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa saw off Championship derby rivals Birmingham City 1-0 courtesy of an emphatic 62nd-minute header from Rudy Gestede, while Peter Crouch’s cool first-half finish earned Stoke City a 1-0 win at Fulham.
Holders Chelsea launch their trophy defence at third-tier Walsall on Wednesday, while Arsenal visit north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the tie of the round.
Manchester United, second in the Premier League, enter the competition with a home game against second-tier Ipswich Town, while Liverpool host League Two Carlisle United, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition.
