Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's League Cup third round tie as struggling Sunderland host stuttering Manchester City at the Stadium of Light. These two sides were poles apart during the opening weeks of the new season, but the last two fixtures have yielded consecutive defeats for either side and the pressure is on to return to winning ways tonight. Let's start with a look at the team news...

SUNDERLAND STARTING XI: Mannone; Yedlin, Van Aanholt, Coates, O'Shea; M'Vila, Rodwell, Johnson, Lens, Toivonen; Borini

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Pantilimon, Brown, Cattermole, Larsson, Gomez, Defoe, Fletcher

MAN CITY STARTING XI: Caballero; Sagna, Otamendi, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernando, Toure, Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling; Aguero

MAN CITY SUBS: Wright, Maffeo, Fernandinho, Evans, M Garcia, Barker, Roberts

What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, as expected there have been changes from either manager, as is usually the case in cup matches like there. There are five in all from the hosts, the most notable of which sees Jermain Defoe drop out of the starting lineup despite having scored a hat-trick in the second round victory over Exeter. He is replaced as the central striker by summer signing Fabio Borini, who will be hoping to kick-start his second spell at the club with a decent showing here.

Borini will be support in attack by two fellow new arrivals, both of whom have made decent starts to their Sunderland careers despite the club's struggles so far this season. Jeremain Lens was the big signing for the Black Cats and he has shown glimpses of why they splashed the cash on him, while Toivonen has also impressed at times when given the chance by Dick Advocaat so far. Adam Johnson, meanwhile, returns from injury against his former club tonight to join them in what could be an effective attack if they find a way to click.

M'Vila is yet another new signing who has made a largely encouraging start to his time with the club, and the holding midfielder already has a goal to his name after his fine free kick against Aston Villa. He joins Jack Rodwell in the starting XI today as the former Man City man returns to the side having scored in the most recent meeting between these two sides.

At the back, there is a Sunderland debut for yet another new face as DeAndre Yedlin, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, replaces Billy Jones on the right side of the defence. John O'Shea returns from illness to captain the side from the heart of the back four, replacing the suspended Younes Kaboul following his sending-off against Bournemouth. Coates and Van Aanholt both remain in the side, while Vito Mannone gets a chance in goal in place of Pantilimon.

There is also a change between the sticks for the visitors as Willy Caballero replaces Joe Hart, who is given the evening off completely with Wright the back-up goalkeeper on the bench. In all, though, it is a string side named by Pellegrini, who has resisted the temptation to rest some of his biggest players following the defeat to West Ham on Saturday. There is just one change in the back four, with Demichelis replacing the injured Mangala to play alongside Otamendi, who is himself deputising for stricken skipper Kompany.

Zabaleta remains sidelined until the end of the month, which means Sagna keeps his place at right-back, while Kolarov continues to be preferred on the left. Changes have also been kept to a minimum in the middle of the park, with Yaya Toure among those included by Pellegrini. Indeed, Fernando coming in for Fernandinho is the third and final change to the team from the weekend as he partners the Ivorian in the deeper-lying midfield roles.

Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, signed for a combined total of more than £100m this summer, retain their spots just behind the striker, with the former having opened his account for the club against West Ham at the weekend. He has looked bright during his short City career so far, creating a number of chances on his debut against Palace too, and tonight should be another chance for him to gel with those around him. Navas continues on the right, but plenty of eyes will be on Sterling tonight. The former Liverpool man was criticised for his finishing ability recently, particularly after the Champions League defeat to Juventus, and he could really do with a goal or two to silence those critics.

Perhaps the most notable inclusion as far as City are concerned, though, comes up front. Sergio Aguero starts the match despite having suffered an injury scare in the recent match against Palace. He was able to play a bit-part role against Juventus and started the game at the weekend but, considering his injury record and how important he is to City, it is something of a surprise to see him not rested this evening. It won't be a pleasant surprise as far as Sunderland are concerned, though, with the Argentine having scored twice here last season.

Sunderland are up against more or less a first-choice City XI, then, which certainly won't raise too many hopes amongst their supporters that tonight may be the night when they turn their season around. The 2015-16 campaign was meant to be different to recent seasons after they eventually convinced Dick Advocaat to stay on, but the way things are going they looked to be stuck in the same cycle that saw both Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet come and go in recent seasons.

It has been a really poor start to the season from the Black Cats, and Advocaat can be forgiven for regretting the decision to postpone his retirement this summer. His side are still searching for their first league win of the campaign and sit bottom of the pile after six matches with just two points amassed from a possible 18. They are one of three teams yet to pick up a win in the Premier League, although a glimmer of solace may come from the fact that North-East rivals Newcastle are right down there with them.

It hasn't quite been all bad this season for Sunderland, and some of their performances have deserved more than the results suggest - most notably the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur when they were on top for the majority of the match and hit the woodwork twice. They have also picked up a respectable draw with Swansea and shared the spoils with Aston Villa, but there is no doubt that significant improvement is still needed. They began the campaign in dreadful fashion against Leicester and Norwich - conceding early goals in both of those games - and haven't truly recovered from that yet.

They were on the end of the couple more early goals at the weekend as they slumped to another disappointing defeat, failing to build on their promising performance against Tottenham on the way to a 2-0 loss away to Bournemouth. Both goals came inside the opening 10 minutes, by which point the Black Cats were already all but out of the game. Their misery was compounded 15 minutes from time when Kaboul was given his marching orders to cap off a poor day for the North-East outfit.

While they have failed to score in their last two outings, it is their performances at the other end of the field which have been most damaging so far. It must be said that they have improved since their opening two defeats to Leicester and Norwich, but it was hard to get any worse than that in truth. They look incredibly shaky at the back and prone to errors, particularly in the absence of John O'Shea, who missed the Bournemouth defeat at the weekend through illness. With Aguero lining up against them tonight, that will be an area of real concern.

No team in the Premier League has conceded more goals than Sunderland's 13 this term, while you can add an extra three onto that when including their 6-3 triumph over League Two side Exeter in the last round of this competition. That is the only victory in their last five outings in front of their own fans in all competitions, while they have conceded eight goals in their last four at home. They have not beaten a Premier League side at the Stadium of Light since the start of May.

This is the third consecutive season that Sunderland have failed to win any of their opening six games of a Premier League season, so it is no wonder when they are so often left fighting for their lives come the business end of the campaign. They are usually able to nick a draw here and there, however, and defeat tonight would surprisingly see them lose three on the bounce in all competitions for the first time since March-April 2014.

They were certainly go into the match as big underdogs, although perhaps not as big given the week Manchester City have had. Manuel Pellegrini's side began the campaign in imperious fashion and were being crowned by many as Premier League champions after just five games of the campaign. However, there have been one or two signs of the wheels just starting to come off in what has been a damaging week for the club, both at home and abroad.

Seven days ago they began their Champions League campaign at home to Juventus - a team that finished as runners-up in the competition last season but had lost the likes of Pirlo, Vidal and Tevez during the summer. The Italian giants had made a dreadful start to their domestic season too, while City were flying in the Premier League, yet their European struggles persisted as they blew a lead to lose 2-1 in front of their own fans.

The result certainly out a dampener on their start to the season, but domestically things were still looking perfect until West Ham United came to town on Saturday evening. The Citizens had not even conceded a goal, yet alone dropped a point, in the Premier League from their first five game, but Slaven Bilic masterminded yet another famous scalp for his side as they emerged 2-1 winners. De Bruyne's first goal for the club was a minor positive, but it not only brought an end to their perfect start to the season, it also saw their record winning streak of 11 games finish.

Their position in the Premier League is still a strong one, though. They remain at the top of the pile, with their lead over local rivals Manchester United now cut to two points. They remain eight points in front of reigning champions Chelsea, however, and with the best defence in the league and one of the best attacking records, they are still the favourites of many people to end the season as champions.

With big away games against Tottenham and an out-of-form Borussia Monchengladbach coming up, though, they will be keen to get back to winning ways tonight having already lost twice in the last week. They haven't lost three times in a row since 2010, although it should be noted that they still boast a 100% away record this season. Indeed, their winning run on the road stretches back to April 12 - a run of five games since a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United.

They are unbeaten away in this competition for exactly five years, last losing on the road at this very stage of the League Cup in 2010 at the hands of West Brom. They have won five of six away games since then, and six of seven if you include the 2014 final against Sunderland at Wembley. City have also scored in each of their last 16 away League Cup games - a run that stretches back to 2003.

The Citizens won that final in 2014, but as defending champions last term they were dumped by Newcastle in the last 16. Their performance at this stage of the season was among the most memorable of the competition, however, as they powered through last year's third-round fixture by beating Sheffield Wednesday 7-0. In contrast, Sunderland were beaten 2-1 by Stoke in the 2014-15 third round.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Stadium of Light, which means that it is time for a prediction! Sunderland have been in pretty poor form this season, but they might have been eyeing an upset in this one given. However, City's strong starting XI makes that much less likely, and I am struggling to see past a return to winning ways for Manuel Pellegrini's side. I'll go for a 3-1 away victory.

Sunderland have never won this competition, but they have made it all of the way to the final on two occasions. The first of those same in 1985, while the most recent has already been alluded to as they were beaten 3-1 by tonight's opponents in 2014. That was City's third success in the competition, adding to the 1970 and 1976 seasons when they also lifted the trophy.

These two sides have also met in the League Cup on a different occasion to the 2014 final, and it was Sunderland were emerged victorious on that occasion, running out 2-1 winners on aggregate back in 1979. In terms of the more recent meetings between the two sides, City have been the dominant force over the past couple of years. They did the double over Sunderland last term, winning 3-2 at the Etihad on New Year's Day and 4-1 here at the Stadium of Light in early December.

Sunderland do have an impressive record here in this competition, though. They have won six of their last seven home matches in the League Cup, scoring 19 goals in a run that also includes victories over the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United - something City will be wary of this evening. The one exception in that seven-game run did come at this stage last season, though, when they were beaten by Stoke.

Right, the players are out and we're just about ready to go here as Manchester City begin their quest for the first piece of silverware this season.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! We're underway at the Stadium of Light for this League Cup third round fixture.

Bright start from Sunderland as they look to get on the front foot with a quick counter-attack. Lens is the man to deliver a low ball from the right, but Otamendi makes a crucial interception to turn the ball behind for a corner.

More good play from Sunderland as M'Vila and Toivonen combined to find Borini, who in turn tries to find Johnson with a through-ball into the box. It is just too far in front of Johnson, who may have been offside anyway, but it has been a really confident and positive start from the hosts here.

CHANCES! This is how quickly City can strike, though. The pacey Navas is released down the right by a through-ball from Toure, and winger has time and space to pick out Aguero in the box. The Argentine can't turn it in at the near post, but he is gifted another chances seconds later when Coates carelessly gave the ball away inside his own half. Aguero finds himself through on goal, but can only poke the ball wide of the far post.

How typical is that of Sunderland this season? They have made a decent start to this match, but defensive errors are once again their undoing. Moments after Coates's mistake in giving the ball away the hosts concede a penalty when Van Aanholt is beaten to the ball by Navas, bringing the winger down. Roger East at first doesn't award the spot kick, but the assistant flags and in the end the ref points to the spot. Up steps Aguero to calmly send Mannone the wrong way and open the scoring.

CLOSE! Toure looks to add a quick second as he is allowed to twist and turn towards the edge of the box before curling a low left-footed effort towards the bottom corner. He doesn't catch hold of it properly, but it still has Mannone scrambling as it bobbles past the far post.

It is City who are carving out all of the shooting chances now, and Sterling is the latest to test Mannone. The youngster picks the ball up on the left flank and manages to curl one towards goal, but it is straight at the keeper, who collects it easily.

YELLOW CARD! Rodwell becomes the first name in the book for a cynical sliding challenge on Sterling to prevent the winger from breaking. A good booking to give away.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Sunderland have the all in the back of the net, but the celebrations are cut short by Roger East. It was a long ball over the top for Borini, who was tussling with Otamendi. The City defender goes tumbling to the ground to allow Borini clean through on goal, and the former Liverpool man produces a calm finish. However, the referee pulls play back for a foul on Otamendi - a soft decision on first viewing.

CHANCE! Having just got away with one, Otamendi gifts Sunderland another glorious chance here! A lax square ball gifts the hosts possession deep inside the City half and one pass sends Borini into the box. However, Otamendi atones for his error by getting back to block the shot.

Caballero has had one or two problems with his distribution already today. He is some way behind Hart in the pecking order right now, and that isn't going to do his chances any good considering how impressive Hart's distribution has been of late.

CHANCE! Another decent chance for Sunderland as Johnson sends a corner into the middle that looks destined to be met by the head of O'Shea. The Sunderland skipper is unmarked and rises to head the ball goalwards, but he completely misses it and what should have been a great chance goes begging!

Sunderland win another corner, but this time Caballero comes out to punch the ball clear. It is a decent punch, but still only falls to Lens, who steers his ambitious first-time volley well over the crossbar.

CHANCE! The hosts have their best chance of the match so far as Yedlin collects a crossfield pass before flicking it over the head of Kolarov and delivering a brilliant cross to an unmarked Toivonen, whose header is tipped over by Caballero.

It is the same old story yet again! Following a decent spell of Sunderland pressure they are hit by another avoidable goal. City break forward at pace and Sterling eventually picks up the ball outside the area. He slips a pass down the left channel for De Bruyne, who just slides it past Mannone at his near post with the angle against him. The keeper will be very disappointed there - he should never be getting beaten so easily from that position.

This match has been played at a frenetic tempo so far. Sunderland have actually played fairly well going forward and should have their own names on the scoreboard already having squandered a few chances, but defensive lapses have cost them so far and they are almost out of a match that they could easily be winning.

There is just something about this Sunderland defence that breeds uncertainly and mistakes. Yedlin is the latest to fluff a clearance and almost turn the ball into his own net, while moments later they give the ball away in a dangerous position before needing to block the resulting shot. They certainly don't do themselves any favours.

The open nature of this match is really suiting Man City here. The visitors are looking dangerous every time they come forward, and it would be a surprise if we had seen the last of the goals in this first half.

They are architects of their own downfall, but you can't help but feel sorry for them at times. It is another calamitous goal for Sunderland to concede as they go three behind. A low cross arrives into the area from Navas on the right and Mannone can only push it out into a really dangerous area. Sterling is waiting and really should stroke the rebound home, but instead his effort hits the post before bouncing back off Mannone and in. So unlucky for the keeper, although it was his initial error that gifted the visitors the chance.

City have completed dominated since their second goal went in and Sunderland could be on course for a mauling here if this carries on. Their defence simply don't look able to cope with City's attackers, and they aren't getting much help from those in front of them either. This could be anything.

Well, they got seven at this stage last season and they may just reach that tally by half time if it carries on like this! It is far too simple again for City as De Bruyne slides a pass inside the full-back for Sterling, played onside by Van Aanholt, to race on to. The winger has been criticised for his finishing, but he opens his body well to plant it into the far corner.

The Stadium of Light was already pretty empty at kickoff, but it looks as though some fans are even beginning to leave already. It has been a nightmare half for the Black Cats and they are at the stage now where they could be praying for mercy. It is men against boys out there at the moment.

Those who are still inside the Stadium of Light are at least able to make light of their plight, though. Sunderland string what must be nearing double figures of passes together (!), and each one if given the 'Ole!' treatment by the crowd.

CHANCE! Oh my word, how is it not 5-0?! Again Sunderland give the ball away and it is immediately played over the top for Aguero. He takes it past the keeper with his first touch but almost like he seems to want to prolong Sunderland's agony, turning down a simple tap-in into an open goal in an attempt to beat another player. He is eventually dispossessed, while Mannone gets back to stop De Bruyne's eventual shot.

Incidentally, Aguero's failure to score there was cheered almost like Sunderland had scored four at the other end. You would have put your house, your car, your bank account and your children on the Argentine finishing that chance.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time until Sunderland are put out of their misery...temporarily.

YELLOW CARD! Coates goes into the book in stoppage time, although it is not clear exactly what for.

Wow, what an incredible half that was. Sunderland's woes continue this season and that 45 minutes of football may well be the worst of the lot so far - although there is no shortage of competition in that regard. They trail Manchester City by four goals at the halfway stage having completely collapsed despite a relatively bright start to the game.

The opening goal came from the spot when Van Aanholt carelessly brought down Navas right on the left side of the area. The defender was not aware of his surroundings as he put his foot in, being beaten to the ball by the speedy winger and catching the foot of the Spaniard. The referee was right to award the penalty, and Aguero made no mistake by sending the keeper the wrong way from the spot.

They came a flurry of three goals in 11 minutes, starting with De Bruyne making it two goals in his last two game for the club after 25 minutes. The winger finished off a rapid counter-attack from the visitors, latching on to Sterling pass before sliding his effort past Mannone. However, the keeper should have done a lot better having been beaten at his near post far too easily.

Mannone was again to blame for the third goal, although he could point to a lack of luck as well. The keeper pushed a low cross right into the path of Sterling, who should have swept the rebound home for the third. His effort bounced back off the post and against Mannone before trickling over the line, however.

De Bruyne and Sterling combined again for the fourth as the latter finally got his own name on the scoresheet, opening his body to find the far corner after being slid through by his fellow summer arrival. Van Aanholt was the man playing Sterling onside, making it four from four goals that could have been avoided from a defensive standpoint. It could have been even worse for the hosts too as Aguero missed an absolute sitter having rounded the keeper, trying to take on another defender instead of simply rolling the ball into an empty net.

City have had further chances through Aguero and Toure, while Sunderland had some good openings of their own before their collapse after the second goal. Toivonen squandered the best of the lot when he saw his header from Yedlin's cross tipped over by Caballero, while O'Shea also failed to make the most of being unmarked inside the area. Add to that a disallowed goal and things could be a lot different at the break.

KICKOFF: We're back underway for the second half, and it is no surprise to see that Advocaat has made a change at the break, with Lee Cattermole replacing Rodwell.

Forward come City again on the counter as Sterling skips away from two challenges to launch a four-on-three attack for the visitors. He slips the ball to De Bruyne, but Coates slides in to make an important tackle. City manage to keep possession, but Navas's effort is easy for Mannone.

CHANCE! Another chance for City as Toure slides a pass down the right channel for Aguero, who again beats Mannone to the ball and skips past the keeper - commendably staying on his feet in the process. This time the angle is too tight for the Argentine, however, and instead he picks out Sterling on the edge of the box. The winger looks to run around the defence, but is eventually crowded out.

Sunderland must surely be thinking of going into damage limitation mode with this match already long gone in terms of their chances of winning it. City are still carving them open at will, though, and even when the hosts have 10 bodies behind the ball they look alarmingly easy to play through.

As for City, they have no real need to go out of first gear for the remainder of this match, but there are plenty more goals for them here if they want them.

MAN CITY SUB: The visitors make their first change of night as young Patrick Roberts comes on to replace Navas.

YELLOW CARD! Demichelis goes into the book for obstructing Lens having got himself caught underneath a high ball to the Sunderland man.

Another save for Mannone to make, although this is more straightforward than most of his action tonight. The ball is slipped into the path of Toure, who powers into the box but can only hit a tame effort into the keeper's arms from a tight angle.

Van Aanholt has been criticised already this season, and this has been one of the worst hours of football I have seen from a player. He has been truly awful so far. The vast majority of the Sunderland team have, in truth, but Van Aanholt has stood out more than most.

City are just controlling the ball at the moment, with all of their possession coming inside the Sunderland half. They are not forcing the issue - they don't have to - but they still look dangerous.

SAVE! Better from the hosts as City begin to get a little sloppy in possession, Borini holds the ball up and waits for support, which eventually arrives in the shape of Lens. He twists and turns on the edge of the box to create room for a shot, but his powerful effort is straight at Caballero.

Still no further goals in this second half, but City have taken their foot off the pedal considerably and are still in control. It wouldn't be a surprise to see some of the key players taken off by Pellegrini sooner rather than later.

The passing from Sunderland has been truly atrocious today. They are just playing the ball out of play with no pressure on them at times. They seem to have forgotten how to do the very basics of football right, and you have to look past just Advocaat when that happens.

Sterling has been a real livewire down the left flank tonight and he goes at the Sunderland defence again here, looking for his second of the evening. His effort is blocked this time, though, with the ball trickling harmlessly through to the keeper.

Van Aanholt looks to provide a bright moment to what has been a miserable performance when he latches on to a through-ball down the left channel, but his drilled shot is saved by Caballero and wouldn't have counted anyway, with the linesman correctly flagging the full-back for offside.

Pellegrini won't want his players to do anything stupid here, but Demichelis almost does exactly that by sliding in and bringing down Lens. The centre-back is already on a yellow card and it would be utterly needless to be sent off in this game. The referee opts for leniency in this case, but he is unlikely to be quite as understanding next time.

SAVE! This is a bit more like it from Sunderland! Yedlin, a rare bright spark for Sunderland today, cuts inside from his right flank before poking the ball through to Borini. The angle is slightly against the striker, whose low shot is saved by Caballero.

MAN CITY SUB: Aguero is protected by Pellegrini here having scored the opening goal, although he really should have had two. On comes Manuel Garcia for his senior City debut.

City are more than happy to let Sunderland see plenty of the ball now, before looking to pounce on the break when they do get the ball back. It has been a second-half cruise for this visitors, and at least an improvement from the hosts.

City have had their careless moments in this match too, and here is another one as Sagna gives the ball away inside his own half. Lens is played through as a result, but he takes too long over his decision and Sagna is able to get back and block the eventual cross.

Both sides would be happy with the final whistle now, and in truth that has been the case since the interval. The second half has not lived up to the first, but it was always going to struggle to with the game over as a contest.

Fair play to the Sunderland fans who are still in the stadium. They are a resilient bunch in the North-East, but the Black Cats must have tested their patience to the extreme here.

The hosts get a consolation with seven minutes remaining on the clock as more good work from Yedlin down the right sees him cross the ball in for Toivonen, who gets in front of Caballero to nod home at the near post. There is a question mark of offside, but the goal isn't going to have a bearing on the final result here so City don't make a big fuss.

Losing the clean sheet will be an irritant for Pellegrini, but on the whole he will be delighted with how tonight has gone. His side are back to winning ways and got the result wrapped up inside 45 minutes, allowing them to take things easy for the second half.

Van Aanholt does well to cut out a through-ball intended for Roberts, who would have been clean through on goal had the left-back not made the interception.

MAN CITY SUB: A third and final change for the visitor sees Toure saunter off to be replaced by George Evans, who also makes his senior bow for the club.

A late shooting chance for Borini as the ball breaks to him in a decent position, but his low strike from 20 yards ends up going a long way wide of the far post.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of three minutes stoppage time at the end of this match.

Sunderland fans don't even bother to boo at the full-time whistle as they are finally put out of their misery, losing 4-1 at home to Manchester City for the second consecutive time. The match was over as a contest by the halfway stage courtesy of first-half goals from Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and a Costel Pantilimon own goal, while Ola Toivonen got a consolation back for the beleaguered hosts in the second half.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole on a night that saw Manchester City cruise into the fourth round of the League Cup courtesy of a dominant 4-1 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!