City stroll into League Cup last 8 as Everton ease pressure on Silva with Watford win

Sergio Aguero scored a brace to propel a clinical Manchester City to League Cup quarter-final with a rampant victory 3-1 over struggling Southampton on Tuesday.

City had already a taken a 2-0 lead by the half-time, courtesy Nicolas Otamendi and Aguero, who were both on target.

Pep Guardiola did make wholesale changes, as he fielded nine players who did not feature against Aston Villa, giving debut to 18-year-old midfielder Tommy Doyle.

Doyle’s grandfather Mike had guided City to League Cup title under his leadership back in 1976 and the South London club is again on course for seventh title.

City, who have lifted the trophy three times in the last four seasons, began the fourth round tie serenaded by chants of “We want 10” in reference to Southampton’s 9-0 thrashing by Leicester on Friday.

Although City could not match the Leicester’s result but it was enough for them to book a spot in the last eight. City took the lead through when Bernardo Silva looped in a cross and Otamendi headed home in the 20th minute.

18 minutes later, City’s second goal came when Kyle Walker sent over a cross and Aguero, on his 350th club appearance, produced a precise close-range finish for his 11th goal of the season.

Southampton are languishing in the Premier League relegation zone amid speculation boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is in danger of being sacked.

Hasenhuttl’s cause was hardly helped when Aguero made it three for City in the 56th minute, the Argentine poking in after Riyad Mahrez’s shot deflected high into the penalty area.

It was little consolation for Southampton when Jack Stephens headed in from a James Ward-Prowse corner in the 75th minute.

As if the last few days haven’t been painful enough for Southampton, they have to do it all again on Saturday when they return to Manchester to face City in the Premier League.

The only frustration for City was a late injury to reserve left-back Angelino.

“This competition is good to move the team on. We played seriously, the quality of our passing was high,” Guardiola said.

Meanwhile, Everton eased the pressure on beleaguered boss Marco Silva with a 2-0 win over his former club Watford.

Silva’s team are just outside the Premier League relegation zone after Saturday’s last-gasp defeat at Brighton. Another loss to a Watford team with an even worse record this season could have been fatal for Silva, but Mason Holgate and Richarlison gave him some breathing space.

Everton, who have never won the League Cup, had to wait until the 72nd minute before they finally took the lead.

Theo Walcott guided the ball towards Holgate and the defender was free to thump in a header from two yards out.

Former Watford striker Richarlison completed the much-needed win with a clinical finish in stoppage-time.

“We deserved it. We were the best team. We were a little bit slow in some moments in the first half but we were better in the second half. We were quicker, more assertive and got our goals,” Silva said.

Leicester joined City and Everton in the last eight with a 3-1 victory at League One side Burton.

Sitting third in the Premier League, Brendan Rodger’s side maintained their impressive form despite nine changes.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Youri Tielemans and James Maddison scored for Leicester.

Oxford beat fellow third tier side Sunderland 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

The 1986 League Cup winners are into the last eight for the first time since 1988 having already thrashed West Ham in the last round.

Colchester won 3-1 at fourth tier rivals Crawley as they followed up their memorable shock win over Tottenham in the previous round.

Agencies