Manuel Pellegrini hails "important" victory

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has said that he is pleased with his side's display against Sunderland in their League Cup third-round clash this evening.

The Citizens romped to an emphatic 4-1 victory over the Black Cats as they recovered from their defeat to West Ham United at the weekend.

"We played well - especially in the first half," he told the club's official website. "Maybe in the second half, winning 4-0, we stopped our pace a little bit but I am pleased because we started this game after two important defeats in the Champions League and Premier League.

"It was important to continue in this cup and it was important to try to win from the first minute. We scored four beautiful goals.

"We won this cup two years ago and it is beautiful to play the final at Wembley. We will continue to try and play strong squads in this competition."

City will return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon with a clash against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.