Manchester City advanced to the semi-final of the Capital One Cup with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Championship Hull City on Tuesday evening.
The Citizens overcame Southampton 3-1 in the Premier League at the weekend, but that triumph came at a cost following an injury to Sergio Aguero.
However, with the Argentine superstar absent, the Citizens’ class shone through as they dispatched the Tigers with ease at the Etihad Stadium.
Wilfried Bony Goal Video: Manchester City 4-1 Hull City, Capital One Cup
Wilfried Bony—standing in for Aguero at the pinnacle of the attack—opened the scoring after Kevin De Bruyne’s effort hit the post, although City had to wait until Nigerian wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho made his introduction to truly take control of the contest.
The youngster doubled the Citizens’ lead on 80 minutes after being teed up by another substitute, Raheem Sterling.
While the omissions from the Citizens’ starting line up stole most of the pre-match headlines—with Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart all absent—it was Hull who made the majority of the changes, with Steve Bruce clearly keen to focus on his side’s promotion push at the expense of knockout progression.
Kevin De Bruyne added gloss to the scoreline late on with a pair of goals—including a floated free kick which Eldin Jakupovic should probably have dealt with.
Manchester City Player Ratings vs. Hull City, Capital One Cup
Andrew Roberston added a late response for the Tigers in the second period, after a left-footed shot from the centre of the box, but the Championship outfit—who gave a decent account of themselves during the first 45 minutes—knew the game was up long before the Scot made his late intervention.
Ultimately, Hull’s defensive failings—the very same limitations that cost them their place in the Premier League last term—came back to haunt the Tigers, who capitulated late on when the game had otherwise been within their grasp.
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While David Silva didn’t get on the scoresheet, it was perhaps his return that most delighted the home supporters. The Spain wizard had been absent for almost two months before returning as a substitute against Southampton this weekend.
Silva started here and was at his glittering best, prompting and probing and demonstrating the passing ability and technical ability adds another layer of gold paint to City’s magnificent attacking collective.