City eviscerate Sunderland from Leage Cup; Hull upset Swansea

Manchester City put Sunderland to the sword while Hull upset Swansea as the third round of the League Cup got under way Tuesday in England. There were few surprises on the night as despite fielding weakened teams, every top-flight side save Garry Monk's Swans advanced to the draw for the fourth round.

League Cup play continues on Wednesday as Arsenal and Tottenham clash in the marquee pairing of the round at White Hart Lane.

Manchester City recovered from their stunning loss on the weekend to West Ham with a fast and thorough 4-1 evisceration of a Sunderland side that truly looks dire. With both teams giving fringe players a chance – and that meant a start for American DeAndre Yedlin, on loan to the Black Cats from Tottenham -- this remained a contest in which class and money spoke volumes.

Sergio Aguero needed only nine minutes to score after Patrick van Aanholt fouled Jesus Navas to give the Argentine a chance from the penalty spot. Things went downhill quickly from there with new boy Kevin De Bruyne scoring a fine goal from an acute angle past keeper Vito Mannone before Mannone was dreadfully unlucky to concede an own goal after Raheem Sterling's shot caromed off the post, off the keeper, and into the back of the net. Sterling got a goal to his credit three minutes later and City went into the break 4-0 up.

Yedlin was involved in Sunderland's only goal, serving in a fine cross from the far flank to meet Ola Toivonen in the 83rd minute. It was a rare show of competence from a Sunderland side that unfortunately seems devoid of quality.

Elsewhere, Hull City sprung a 1-0 upset on Wales' only Premier League side thanks to a first half strike from David Meyler. Swansea had been on top for the majority of the match, and Wayne Routledge would have a goal waved off for offside, but the Tigers were able to ride Meyler's goal, a sloppy sweep off a rebound, into the next round.

Rudy Gestede scored the only goal of the game as Aston Villa saw off second-tier Birmingham 1-0. Jack Grealish was the sparkplug for the Villans, who have endured a miserable start to their league campaign. And, while Gestede was invisible much of the night, his header in the 62nd minute, off service from Jordan Amavi, was superb.

Stoke saw off Fulham 1-0 thanks to a goal from Peter Crouch in a surprisingly tense game that saw the Cottagers mount a late fightback. Everton recovered 2-1 at second-tier Reading thanks to goals from Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu after Nick Blackman had given the Royals an early lead.

In a tussle of Championship sides, Middlesbrough came out well on top, shipping three past Wolves thanks to a brace from Albert Adomah and a good goal from Diego Fabbrini.

Bournemouth were not as fortunate as Preston North End took the Cherries to kicks, but the Premier League side escaped in the shootout thanks to three saves from keeper Adam Federici to advance 2-2 (3-2 on pks).

Shaun MacDonald had given the Cherries an early lead, but the Lilywhites stayed alive thanks to a late goal from Jordan Hugill. Marc Pugh looked as if he had won it again for the Premiership side when he scored in the 95th minute, but he would concede a penalty for handball with five remaining. Daniel Johnson stepped up and scored from the spot.