Sunderland crashed out of the Capital One Cup tonight as Manchester City ran out 4-1 winners at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats were their own worst enemies, and not for the first time this season, with City winning 4-0 after 41 first-half minutes. Sergio Aguero converted from the spot following a ridiculously clumsy challenge by the poor Patrick Van Aanholt, a few minutes later it was 2-0 when the lively Kevin De Bruyne beat Vito Mannone at his near post. Prior to the City second goal, Sunderland should have been level, but for the second time in as many matches, the goal was wrongly disallowed, Fabio Borini got the wrong side of Otamendi, who lost his footing before the Italian slotted past the City keeper.
A mistake from Mannone, who was making a rare appearance, led to City’s third goal, after he failed to clear a cross, Raheem Sterling slotted a shot off the post, which hit Mannone and trickled into the back of the net, Sterling added a fourth soon after. City were not finished there, Aguero should have made it 5 or 6 either side of half-time but was too casual with his chances. The Black Cats were okay second-half, with Ola Toivonen getting a consolation goal for the hosts, but the Black Cats will not be advancing in this season’s competition, with Advocaat now left with the task of changing Sunderland’s league form.
