Leicester City vs. Manchester City Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Manchester City cruised through to the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup with a 3-1 win at Leicester City.

"

7 - Man City are unbeaten in their last seven trips to Leicester in all comps (W3 D4), not losing there since February 1988. Favourites.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 17, 2013"

The home side might have harboured hopes of causing a shock in the quarter-final tie, but those hopes were all but ended just eight minutes in when Aleksander Kolarov cracked in a free-kick from 25 yards.

City dominated in large spells with Edin Dzeko looking particularly menacing, causing Kasper Schmeichel to make a couple of impressive saves to keep his side in the tie.

The Premier League team doubled their lead five minutes before the break, however, when Milner's cross found Dzeko and he powered a header past the 'keeper. Shortly after half-time, Dzeko scored his second of the game after another Milner assist, this time finishing low inside the near post to give the keeper no chance.

The tempo of the match dropped noticeably thereafter—but the home fans got a moment to cheer when their best player, Lloyd Dyer, swept home at the near post with less than a quarter of an hour left to play.

There was no grandstand finish, though, and Manchester City strode through.

"

Edin Dzeko is enjoying his night out in Leicester. The Bosnian has his second and @MCFC are on course for the @CapitalOne_Cup last four.

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 17, 2013"

Key Player Grades

James Milner: B+

Excellent game from the wide man, running down the left channel all game and causing plenty of problems for Leicester. Two assists to his name showed his consistency and he was unlucky not to score himself.

Lloyd Dyer: B

Leicester's best player on the night, Dyer gave City's substitute right-back Dedryck Boyata plenty of moments of concern and looked their most likely outlet. His pace gave them a threat on the counter and he deserved his goal.

Position	Player	Grade
Subs
G	Schmeichel	B
D	Wasilewski	C
D	Miquel	D+
D	Morgan	C
D	Konchesky	D
M	Drinkwater	C
M	King	C
M	Dyer	B
M	Knockaert	D+
F	Taylor-Fletcher	D
F	Nugent	D
M	James	C
F	Vardy	C
F	Schlupp	C+

Position	Player	Grade
Subs
G	Hart	C+
D	Zabaleta	C
D	Kompany	C+
D	Lescott	C
D	Kolarov	B
M	Navas	C
M	Silva	B+
M	Rodwell	C+
M	Garcia	C
M	Milner	B+
F	Dzeko	B+
D	Boyata	D+
M	Nasri	C

What's Next?

Manchester City waltz through to the two-legged semi-finals and Leicester are knocked out, left to concentrate on their promotion push from the Championship.

Follow @karlmatchett