LONDON • Club-record signing Kevin de Bruyne scored again as Manchester City crushed Sunderland 4-1 to reach the League Cup fourth round on Tuesday.
City's perfect start to the Premier League season was abruptly ended by a 1-2 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.
"We played well, especially in the first half," said Pellegrini, whose side also lost 1-2 at home to Juventus in their Champions League opener. "Maybe in the second half, winning 4-0, we stopped our pace a little bit but I am pleased because we started this game after two important defeats in the Champions League and Premier League."
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.
Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat had feared that fans would walk out before half-time.
In March, a large number left when Sunderland were 0-4 down to Aston Villa in Gus Poyet's final game in charge.
"I was a little bit scared to be honest and thought hopefully the fans will stay - and they did," said the Dutchman. "I said we cannot go on this way because City will get double figures."
In other ties, Swansea lost to a 41st-minute David Meyler strike at Hull. They became the second top-flight team to be knocked out of this season's tournament after second-round casualties Watford, although they were later joined by West Ham.
Andy King scored a 116th-minute header as Leicester City continued their fine form to beat the Hammers 2-1 after extra time in the only all-Premier League tie of the day.
Young striker Joe Dodoo put Leicester ahead in the early stages, with Mauro Zarate's deflected shot bringing West Ham level in the 27th minute.
Leicester, the last unbeaten team in the English top tier, prevailed four minutes from the end of extra time. Wales international King rose to plant a header in the top-left corner from Christian Fuchs' cross.
Everton had to come from behind to triumph 2-1 at Championship side Reading.
Nick Blackman's opener was cancelled out by a powerful Ross Barkley strike in the 62nd minute.
Gerard Deulofeu then sealed victory with his first goal since returning to Everton on a permanent basis from Barcelona, with a plunging 30-yard free-kick.
Another scare for the Toffees at 0-1 down was the sight of centre-back John Stones limping off four minutes into the second half.
However, manager Roberto Martinez has allayed fears of a lengthy layoff. "He had a little bit of a knock in his right knee and we couldn't take any risks," said the Spaniard.
"He will be assessed over the next 48 hours but I don't expect it to be anything too serious."
Bournemouth, meanwhile, needed penalties to win at second-tier Preston North End after the game finished 2-2 following extra time.
Daniel Johnson scored a 118th-minute penalty for Preston that sent the game to extra time.
However, he saw his spot-kick saved by Adam Federici - one of three saves the Australian made to hand Bournemouth a 3-2 success in the shoot-out.
Peter Crouch's cool first-half finish earned Stoke City a 1-0 win at Fulham, while Aston Villa saw off Championship derby rivals Birmingham City 1-0.
An emphatic 62nd-minute header from Rudy Gestede caused the damage.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
