Manchester City made an emphatic return to winning ways by thrashing Sunderland 4-1 at the Stadium of Light to reach the fourth round of the League Cup this evening.

Goals from Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, in addition to an own goal from Vito Mannone, put the result beyond doubt inside 36 minutes as City raced into an unassailable lead.

Sunderland did provide a consolation in the final 10 minutes when Ola Toivonen got his first goal for the club, but the visitors' dominance was never under threat.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out above the rest on a night to forget for the troubled Black Cats.

SUNDERLAND

Goal

Vito Mannone: Safe to say Pantilimon's place is not under threat. Beaten far too easily at his near post for the second goal and parried a cross straight to Sterling for the third, although he was unfortunate in the way it bounced off the post, against him and in. (3/10)

Defence

DeAndre Yedlin: One of the very few positives for Sunderland to take from the game. Was very effective going forward down the flank, providing Toivonen with two fine chances, the second of which was taken. Given a torrid time of things by Sterling at the other end of the field, though. (6/10)

Sebastian Coates: Worryingly careless in possession and was one of a few guilty players who got the basics wrong far too often. Simply could not get to grips with City's attackers either as they flew past him at will. (4/10)

John O'Shea: Usually the most reliable of this defensive unit but was powerless to resist City in the first half as they carved the hosts open time after time. (4/10)

Patrick van Aanholt: Is going through a really tough run of form at the moment, and this could well be the nadir. Dreadful in possession, conceded the penalty with a clumsy challenge that highlighted his lack of awareness and kept Sterling onside for the fourth goal having failed to step up with his teammates. (2/10)

Midfield

Yann M'Vila: As poor as the defence were, they didn't get anywhere near enough help from those in front of them. M'Vila was missing in action far too often as City attacked at will. (4/10)

Jack Rodwell: Sacrificed at half time having failed to get anywhere near De Bruyne, Sterling and co. Didn't give his defence any sort of protection. (3/10)

Adam Johnson: Unable to get any sort of attacking thrust going once City had taken control of the match. (5/10)

Ola Toivonen: Opened his account with a consolation goal late on and almost had another with the score at 1-0, only to see his header tipped over. (6/10)

Jeremain Lens: Looked more capable than the majority of his teammates of making something happen, but he found himself up against it with little support. (5/10)

Attack

Fabio Borini: Saw a goal harshly disallowed but never gave up despite clearly fighting a losing battle. Did as well as could be expected considering his lack of service. (5/10)

Substitutes

Lee Cattermole: Sunderland's only change of the match, coming on at half time to add more protection to the defence. His influence is hard to judge considering City took their foot off the pedal, but Sunderland did look a little more sturdy with him around. (6/10)

MAN CITY

Goal

Willy Caballero: Made a couple of decent saves here and there but will be upset not to have kept a clean sheet in what was such a comfortable win. (7/10)

Defence

Bacary Sagna: Occasionally sloppy in possession and was sporadically tested by Lens, but dealt with everything pretty comfortably. (6/10)

Martin Demichelis: Perhaps a little fortunate not to be sent off following a needless sliding challenge on Lens having already been booked. (6/10)

Nicolas Otamendi: Lucky to get away with a free kick having tumbled to the ground and let Borini through to score. Was unconvincing in possession too, including one chance when he gifted the ball to the opposition deep inside his own half, although he did get back to make the block himself. (5/10)

Aleksandar Kolarov: Dealt with Johnson easily enough but struggled when Yedlin also joined the attack. Was able to spend most of his time in the opposition half, though. (6/10)

Midfield

Yaya Toure: An easy evening in the middle of the park. Made the odd burst forward and threaded one or two passes through while helping City to control the game. (7/10)

Fernando: Provided the base for those in front of him to work their magic. Wasn't tested too much over the course of the 90 minutes. (7/10)

Jesus Navas: Taken off 10 minutes into the second half having earlier won the penalty by beating Van Aanholt to the ball just inside the box. (7/10)

Kevin De Bruyne: Pulled the strings in the first half as City carved through Sunderland at will. Scored with a cheeky finish at the near post and set up Sterling for the fourth goal in what was a creative masterclass. (8/10)

Raheem Sterling: Just pips De Bruyne for man of the match. His pace made him a nightmare for Sunderland down the left, particularly on the counter-attack. Linked up with De Bruyne to great effect, providing the Belgian with his goal and then scoring himself off a pass from his fellow summer signing. Also forced the own goal, although he should have scored himself there. (8/10)

Attack

Sergio Aguero: Opened the scoring with a cool penalty but somehow didn't double his personal tally and add a fifth for his side later in the half having rounded the keeper. The Argentine had an open goal gaping, but tried to take on one more defender and was dispossessed. (7/10)

Substitutes

Patrick Roberts: One of three youngsters to be introduced with the game already won. Replaced Navas and was always eager for the ball without making a huge impression. (6/10)

Manuel Garcia: Came on for Aguero with 15 minutes remaining and helped City see the game out in cruise control. (6/10)

George Evans: Another to be handed his senior debut for City, replacing Toure in the final minute of normal time. (6/10)