Capital One Cup wrap: Manchester City, Everton, Stoke City

Manchester City took their place in the Capital One Cup semifinals with a 4-1 win over Hull City.

Manchester City and Liverpool head the list of teams coveting a berth in the League Cup semi-finals this week as the competition reaches the quarter-final stage without several major names.

“A couple of years ago I don’t think many people expected us to get to an FA Cup final so let’s keep our fingers crossed for another upset”.

“We needed to take the top of the table again as soon as possible. We were very solid and we didn’t allow chances for Hull to score”.

The Tigers, through to the quarter-finals for the first time in the club’s history, are one of three White Rose sides bidding to make the last four.

Hayden and Akpom may have failed to test Willy Caballero in the City goal with their efforts, but the chances proved nonetheless encouraging as Manchester City enjoyed the lions’ share of possession but did little with it to worry Bruce’s men. “We will see tomorrow (Sunday) but I hope it is nothing important”, said Pellegrini.

City won the League Cup in 2014, and went on to win the Premier League title.

Having lost their previous two matches against Liverpool and Juventus, Pellegrini’s bruised side came into the Premier League bout against Ronald Koeman’s stuttering Saints side in dire need of a rejuvenated performance.

Now he is dreaming of scoring the victor at Wembley to cap a dream season, with the Blues just a two-legged semi-final away from a date beneath the Arch on February 28.

Middlesbrough, who knocked out Manchester United in the fourth round, saw their luck run out against Everton while Stoke was the end of the road for Arsenal’s conquerors Wednesday. From the first minute, we were hungry to win.

“VIDEO COMMENT By Sam Lee ” We didn’t play that much together, maybe twice, and so it’s really hard for both of us”, Kevin De Bruyne said at the weekend about playing with the mercurial David Silva, “…but he’s such a great player that its easy to play together with him”.

“In this competition I don’t think divisional status gives you a benefit”, said the Everton boss.

“We needed to stay in the cup tie”.

“If I said we were the favourites, then everyone will say, “This guy is crazy”.

“If we needed a reminder how cruel it was to play against the big boys, we just had one”.