Manchester City win to earn spot in Capital One Cup semis

Kevin de Bruyne’s two goals send Manchester City into Capital One Cup SemiFinals

Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City thrashed Hull City with little trouble in the League Cup Quarter-Finals to move into the Semi-Finals of the Capital One Cup for the fourth time in seven seasons with an exciting 4-1 win at the Etihad Stadium today.

Before the match, Blues manager Pellegrini stated the importance of winning Capital One Cup to his club with England Premiership rivals Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal already out of the League Cup this campaign.

Wilfried Bony opened the scoring for City as he struck early in the first half from a rebound of Kevin de Bruyne’s goal attempt. Premier League leaders Man City kept their advantage throughout the match. Hull’s only goal was a late consolation by Andrew Robertson whose error gave City their fourth. Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho and Kevin De Bruyne clinched the victory for Man City with a blitz of three late goals sending Man City into the last four. Championship League Hull brought along a loyal contingent of travelling fans.

At 12 minutes into the clash, Akpom and Aluko left a loose ball, allowing Belgium Kevin de Bruyne to send a left-footed shot into the base of the right post. The rebound was sent back past the goalie into the net by Wilfried Bony, who pounced on the ball and side-footed home making the score Man City 1-0 Hull City.

Chilean Pellegrini's side pushed hard for a second goal to secure City’s victory throughout the first half. City’s Kelechi Iheanacho poked in Raheem Sterling's cross for the first of four goals in the final 10 minutes. De Bruyne raced past the Hull defense and gave City their third goal at 82 minutes from Robertson's weak header, and finished clinically past Jakupovic at close range making the score 3-0 in City’s favor.

De Bruyne scored his second, City’s fourth, at 87 minutes, firing a free-kick into the roof of Hull’s net from 20 yards as the red-haired Belgium clipped in a delightful free-kick. The Tigers’ Andrew Robertson clipped a fine finish over the head of Caballero and the final score was 4-1 at full time.

Manchester City who easily dominated the tie are considered the favorites to win the League Cup competition and first silverware of the English season. Man City lost only 1 of their last 10 games with Hull in all competitions, winning 6 and drawing 3.

Manager Steve Bruce's Championship promotion hopefuls Hull are currently in fourth place on their league table. But until Scotland international Robertson's stunning goal, Hull posed no threat to the Blues in today’s match. Man City last won the League Cup Tournament in 2014.

The Capital One Cup competition has special significance for Pelligrini who won his first English trophy by leading Manchester City to League Cup success in his first season as Blues’ boss. Spain international David Silva made his first start having been out since October 3rd with an ankle injury, returning to captain Man City today against Hull.

Man City midfielder de Bryne is playing magnificent football after transferring from German side Wolfsburg, with a tally of nine goals and eight assists in 15 matches to date for Manchester City.

Premier League 1st place Man City next travel to play 12th place Stoke City.

"The most important thing was to qualify for the semi-final but after that it was important for David Silva to have 80 minutes after a long injury,” said a pleased Pelligrini after the match. "It was important for Bony to have 65 minutes after a muscle injury and for Kelechi, a young player, to score.

"If we needed a reminder how cruel it was to play against the big boys, we just had one,” replied Hull boss Steve Bruce about the score. The 2015-16 Capital One Cup semi-final fixtures and match-ups will be announced when the draw is made on Wednesday. The Premier League leaders fielded a strong side for the clash. The powerful Man City side featured De Bruyne, David Silva, Fernandinho, and Nicolas Otamendi. Home keeper Willy Caballero came close to a clean sheet.

Manchester City Squad

13 Caballero

03 Sagna

30 Otamendi

20 Mangala Booked

22 Clichy

25 Fernandinho

18 Delph

15 Jesús Navas (Sterling - 62' )

21 Silva (Demichelis - 83' )

17 De Bruyne

14 Bony (Iheanacho - 71' )

Subs

07 Sterling

11 Kolarov

26 Demichelis

29 Wright

72 Iheanacho

76 Garcia Alonso

77 Humphreys-Grant

Capital one cup tickets and results

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Capital One Cup Round 4 Results

Manchester City 4 - 1 Hull

Stoke 2 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday

Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Everton