(Manchester City ran riot against Sunderland on Tuesday night - image via Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
After respective losses to Juventus and West Ham United last week, City needed to prove to themselves that the early hype was justified. Imperious displays from Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling proved that it probably was.
Manuel Pellegrini fielded a strong eleven at the Stadium of Light, a team that the club itself admitted would "promote a lot of debate". Sergio Agüero, Nicolas Otamendi and Yaya Touré were selected among eight other senior players, whilst Patrick Roberts, Pablo Maffeo and Manu García could only make the bench.
As predicted, a nauseating debate ensued with one pathetic fan wishing defeat upon the side in response to Pellegrini's decision not to include any of the academy in his starting eleven. But the Chilean's decision was a sensible one. It would be irresponsible to underestimate a Premier League team - especially one that reached the final of the tournament two seasons ago - regardless of their form.
City took a 4-0 lead within 36 minutes and the same supporter that threw his dummy out an hour prior to kick off celebrated every single goal with capital letters and exclamation marks.
It was an efficient performance that saw the 2013/2014 cup winners march on into the fourth round without a scratch. Sergio Agüero, who will have been relieved to find the net after an unfortunate display against West Ham, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling (2) provided the goals for the Blues, whilst Patrick Roberts, Manu García and George Evans all enjoyed brief, but profitable, spells towards the end of the game.
For me, Manuel played this one perfectly.
De Bruyne - Sterling link up play
(Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling were signed for a combined £100m this summer - image via Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
For £100m, one would expect at least a taste of brilliance from Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne. The pair have scored four goals and provided three assists in domestic competitions this season and are still yet to play in a trio with David Silva.
The combined speed and creativity of the duo tormented Sunderland all evening. Sterling's perfectly weighted through ball set De Bruyne up for City's second after 25 minutes and the Belgian repaid the favour ten minutes later with a similarly precise pass.
Both finishes were spectacular, De Bruyne firing in with his left foot from a tight angle and Sterling opening up his body to curl past Mannone and into the far corner.
Both player represent huge outlays for the club, but the goals, assists and ferocity going forward they'll provide could mean it's money well spent.
Taking chances
The 4-1 scoreline was representative of City's efficiency in front of goal. Bar one uncharacteristic Agüero miss, City were composed in the 18-yard-box and hit the back of the net with 57% of the shots they had on target.
With the same composure last Saturday, the club's unbeaten Premier League run would surely still be in tact.
Stats
Shots: 14
Shots on target: 7
Goals scored: 4
Player Ratings
Willy Caballero 7
Bacary Sagna 7
Nicolas Otamendi 7
Martin Demichelis 7
Aleksandar Kolarov 6
Fernandinho 7
Yaya Touré 7
Kevin De Bruyne 8
Jesus Navas 7
Raheem Sterling 8Sergio Agüero 6
Substitutes
Patrick Roberts 6.5
Manu García 6
George Evans - no time to mark
