Manchester City scored four first-half goals on their way to a commanding victory over Sunderland in their League Cup third-round clash at the Stadium of Light this evening.
Sergio Aguero opened the scoring from the spot after just nine minutes, while Kevin De Bruyne made it two goals in his last two games for the club following a swift counter-attack.
Raheem Sterling's effort then bounced off the post and against Vito Mannone for an own goal, before the former Liverpool winger got his own name on the scoresheet three minutes later.
Sunderland did pull one back late on as Ola Toivonen opened his account for the club, but it was never more than a mere consolation for the Black Cats.
Here, Sports Mole looks at whether City deserved such a comfortable passage through to the fourth round.
Match statistics
SUNDERLAND
Shots: 10
On target: 4
Possession: 44%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 8
MAN CITY
Shots: 14
On target: 7
Possession: 56%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 13
Was the result fair?
Absolutely. In fact, Manchester City should have run out more comfortable winners at the Stadium of Light this evening and, had they moved out of first gear at any point in the second half, they probably would have done. This match was over as a contest with 10 minutes remaining in the first half, and Sunderland are fortunate that they went into the break only trailing by four goals. Aguero in particular was guilty of missing a glorious chance with an open goal gaping, while the Argentine also had a couple of sights of goal before breaking the deadlock.
In truth, you wouldn't have foreseen City being so comfortable at the break after 25 minutes of the match. Aguero had opened the scoring by that point, but it was actually Sunderland who started the better and they responded very well to going behind. Fabio Borini saw a goal harshly ruled out for a foul on Nicolas Otamendi in the build-up, while John O'Shea and Toivonen both squandered good headed chances when unmarked inside the City area before the second goal arrived.
Once the visitors did double their lead, though, Sunderland completely collapsed. The hosts were all over the place defensively and each of City's goals could have been avoided. Patrick van Aanholt carries the blame for the first and fourth goals, while Mannone was at fault for goals two and three as individual errors at the back once again cost Sunderland dearly. They did improve in the second half, but by that point the match was dead and buried and City were in cruise control.
Sunderland's performance
Where to start? The defence seems as good a place as any. Sunderland have now conceded 20 goals in eight matches this season, and no fewer than 17 of those have come in the first half. They are losing matches inside the opening 45 minutes and there is very little a team so short on confidence can do to drag themselves back into games. More often than not the goals are as a result of individual errors too, and once again there is not much Dick Advocaat can do about that - the players must take the bulk of the blame.
All four of City's goals today could have been avoided. Van Aanholt's tackle for the penalty was clumsy, Mannone was beaten far too easily at his near post for the second and parried the ball straight to Sterling for the third, although he was unfortunate in the way that one bounced off him and in. Van Aanholt then played Sterling onside for the fourth goal and, within 36 minutes of kickoff, it was already a rout. Advocaat would have been content with how his side performed up until the midway point in the first half, but their collapse was alarming.
There was an improvement after the break, and if you're looking for positives then winning the second half and Toivonen opening his account for the club would come under that category, but that really is clutching at straws. It felt like City could have snapped their fingers at any point and got a few more goals if they really wanted to. The very basics of football seemed to desert Sunderland this evening, and it is not the first time that has happened this season. Their passing was atrocious throughout, even when players were under no pressure at all. It is hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel for the Black Cats right now.
Man City's performance
While Sunderland would give anything to be going through the 'mini-crisis' some deemed City's week to have been going into this match, victory tonight was still important following back-to-back defeats for Manuel Pellegrini's previously perfect players. It wasn't quite a return to perfection this evening, but Pellegrini will still be delighted with how the match went. The win was wrapped up well inside the first half, giving the visitors the chance to take things easy after the break and allowing for Pellegrini to rest the likes of Aguero and Yaya Toure.
The Chilean may have been expecting a much tougher night in the opening 25 minutes or so, with Otamendi looking shaky and Sunderland threatening almost every time they came forward. However, the open nature of the first half always ensured that City would create chances of their own, and they were merciless in killing the game off so early. Having said that, how Aguero didn't add a fifth after rounding the goalkeeper remains a mystery.
There were sloppy moments from City, who gave the ball away carelessly on a few occasions, seemingly being dragged down by Sunderland's own inabilities in possession. The lack of a clean sheet will also be an irritant for Pellegrini considering how dominant they were throughout. However, that second-half display was simply a case of going through the motions with the match won and, all in all, it is a good, confidence-boosting return to winning ways for the Premier League leaders.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Raheem Sterling: The chief tormentor of the Sunderland defence this evening. He and De Bruyne linked up to great effect for the visitors, both grabbing a goal and an assist apiece. Sterling also brought about the own goal from Mannone, although in truth the winger should have finished that one himself. That is the smallest of blots on an otherwise pristine copybook tonight, though.
Biggest gaffe
Take your pick. Aguero is very close to getting the award for his failure to score with the goal gaping towards the end of the first half, but it would seem wrong for a Sunderland player not to claim this. Their general defending and passing was shocking, while any of the errors that led to the goals are enough to warrant this dubious honour.
Referee performance
Roger East was very much involved in the opening exchanges, correctly awarding a penalty and then disallowing a Sunderland goal rather softly. His involvement faded as City grew dominant, however, and in the end he only had to produce his yellow card three times.
What next?
Sunderland: Things don't get any easier for Sunderland as they stick with the Manchester theme to take on United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Man City: City, meanwhile, will look to return to winning ways in the league when they face Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, also on Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
