LONDON, England, October 27 – Manchester City turned on the style again as Roberto Mancini’s side followed their demolition of Manchester United with a 5-2 win at Wolves in the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday.
Mancini made 11 changes from the side that routed United 6-1 on Sunday, but the Italian’s understudies were still far too strong for struggling Wolves as Edin Dzeko’s double, strikes from Adam Johnson and Samir Nasri and a Dorus De Vries own goal booked City’s place in the quarter-finals.
Wolves took the lead thanks to a Nenad Milijas strike from Adlene Guedioura’s pass in the 18th minute.
But City are full of confidence right now after surging five points clear at the top of the Premier League and England winger Johnson swept in a 37th minute equaliser from Dzeko’s pass.
Nasri put City in front in the 39th minute, sliding home from Johnson’s pass, and Bosnia striker Dzeko added the third one a minute later with a tap-in after Luca Scapuzzi’s shot was saved.
City’s fourth goal arrived in the 50th minute when Scapuzzi fired in a shot that cannoned into the net off the back of Wolves goalkeeper De Vries.
Dzeko made it five in the 64th minute and Jamie O’Hara got one back for Wolves.
Mancini wants more from Johnson despite a fine display from the winger and he said: “Adam Johnson played well, but I think he can give more. He has everything to be one of the best wingers.”
Chelsea put a traumatic few days behind them to beat Everton 2-1 after extra time at Goodison Park.
Andre Villas-Boas’s side have had to deal with the fall-out from a 1-0 loss at QPR that saw the FA launch an investigation into allegations of racist abuse from England captain John Terry.
But they showed impressive spirit to see off Everton in dramatic fashion.
Villas-Boas praised his side. “We were very committed, we showed resilience and strength of character once again.
“We went down to 10 men, unfortunately, once again and made things even more difficult but we were able to triumph in difficulty and these are good signs for us.
“They showed they wanted to go through this phase but we were able, not only to play good football, but show good commitment at desire.
“It shows we are progressing and it is very satisfying for everybody.”
Nicolas Anelka missed a first half penalty after Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran was tripped by Johnny Heitinga.
But Chelsea went ahead in the 38th minute when Jan Mucha made a complete hash of saving a weak lob from Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou and allowed the ball to trickle through his grasp into the net.
Everton wasted a chance to get back in the match after half-time when Chelsea goalkeeper Ross Turnbull was sent off after conceding a penalty with a foul on Louis Saha.
Petr Cech came on to replace Turnbull and he saved Leighton Baines’ penalty.
Saha headed an 83rd minute equaliser from Seamus Coleman’s cross.
However, Everton midfielder Royston Drenthe was sent off in extra-time for two bookable offences and Daniel Sturridge grabbed the winner in the 116th minute.
Luis Suarez fired Liverpool into the quarter-finals for the first time in four seasons as the Uruguay striker’s double clinched a 2-1 win at Stoke.
Tony Pulis’s side opened the scoring when Kenwyne Jones dived to head past Jose Reina.
But Liverpool were level nine minutes after half-time as Suarez stole possession from Ryan Shotton and curled a sublime strike past Thomas Sorensen.
And Suarez bagged the winner five minutes from full-time with a header from Jordan Henderson’s cross.
“I don’t think he’s ever going to score with a tap-in. We know the quality he has got,” Reds boss Kenny Dalglish said of Suarez.
“I think the attitude and desire of the players pleased me. If you don’t match that here you are going to struggle.”
Blackburn eased the pressure on beleaguered boss Steve Kean with a 4-3 win over Newcastle after extra-time at Ewood Park.
Rovers, who lie bottom of the Premier League, were ahead after just five minutes when Ruben Rochina converted Martin Olsson’s cross.
Ayegbeni Yakubu increased Blackburn’s lead with a 64th minute penalty after a foul on Rochina.
But Danny Guthrie’s injury-time strike gave Newcastle hope and Yohan Cabaye completed an astonishing revival as he equalised with a stoppage time free-kick.
Morten Gamst Pedersen restored Blackburn’s lead in extra-time, only for Peter Lovenkrands to equalise for Newcastle from the penalty spot.
Rovers kept pressing and French defender Givet bagged the winner in the 120th minute.
