Easy for Man City, Swansea loses to 2nd tier Hull in Cup

LONDON — Manchester City bounced back from its shock Premier League loss to West Ham at the weekend by scoring four goals in the first 36 minutes to beat Sunderland 4-1 in the League Cup third round this morning (Sept 23, Singapore time).

Sergio Aguero fired home a ninth-minute penalty to give City the lead and Kevin De Bruyne made it 2-0 in the 25th by finishing off a swift counter-attack.

Vito Mannone conceded an unfortunate own goal eight minutes later after Raheem Sterling’s effort struck the woodwork and rebounded into the net off the keeper’s back.

Sterling got on the scoresheet three minutes later, while Sunderland grabbed a second-half consolation goal through Ola Toivonen.

Second-tier Hull claimed a Premier League scalp as David Meyler’s first-half effort sunk 2013 winners Swansea 1-0 at the KC Stadium.

The visitors had dominated the early exchanges with Eder hitting the woodwork and Gylfi Sigurdsson having a shot cleared off the line before Meyler fired home from close range.

Rudy Gestede headed a 62nd minute winner as Aston Villa edged home 1-0 in a tight Midlands derby with Birmingham at Villa Park.

Birmingham made the better start, but Tim Sherwood turned the tide by introducing Jordan Ayew and Jack Grealish at halftime and Gestede powered home the winner just past the hour mark.

Everton survived a scare as it came from behind to beat Reading 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium.

Nick Blackman gave Reading the halftime advantage, but Ross Barkley equalized in the 62nd minute and the Premier League side won it 11 minutes later when Gerard Deulofeu crashed home a long-range free kick.

A 33rd minute effort from Peter Crouch proved enough for Stoke to beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage, while Premier League newcomer Bournemouth beat Preston 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the match had finished 2-2 after extra time.

Middlesbrough cruised to a 3-0 win over Wolves at the Riverside Stadium with two goals from Albert Adomah and one for Diego Fabbrini. AP