Manchester City Demolition of Sunderland Perfect Answer to Pellegrini Criticism

Manuel Pellegrini’s team selection for his side’s Capital One Cup third-round game with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday baffled some.

With a band of talented young players patiently awaiting chances to impress, the Chilean was expected to use the competition—arguably the lowest on Manchester City’s list of priorities this season—to give them an opportunity to prove they can handle life in the first team. 

He decided instead to name a strong side full of senior internationals, with his eager elite development squad stars left on the bench, primed and ready to make an impact if the game was already won. Cue online derision. Pellegrini, they said, is ignorant of youth and takes the competition too seriously.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Fast forward a few hours and Pellegrini could be forgiven for feeling rather smug. City battered Sunderland, winning 4-1 having been four goals ahead at half-time, and three young players, Patrick Roberts, George Evans and Manu Garcia, were all given debuts in a pressure-free situation.

The City manager played it perfectly, with his side's run of two consecutive defeats halted in brilliant fashion. 

The quality of the football City produced, at times, was remarkable. It was quick and incisive. They carved Sunderland apart with the kind of ruthless efficiency that has seen them establish an early lead in the Premier League; their place in the fifth round of a competition they won in 2014 was safe after 36 minutes.

Everyone in the City squad left on a high. Kevin De Bruyne was the stand-out player again, scoring his second in consecutive games, a powerful near-post drive that flew past Vito Mannone in the Sunderland goal, and showcasing his remarkable range of passing. City have themselves a bargain, even at £55 million.

His link-up play with Raheem Sterling, another new recruit helping to revolutionise the City forward line, was sensational.

Throw the injured David Silva into the mix—a possibility this weekend when the Spaniard returns from injury—and City will field the finest trio of attacking midfielders in English football. Pace, vision, intelligence, guile and brilliance.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

It’s difficult for those who have seen De Bruyne’s start to life as a City player not to slip into hyperbole. His touch as good as you’ll see, and he always wants the ball, drifting across the pitch, in both wide and central areas, demanding possession. The weight of his passes are consistently perfect. He’s added so much already.

Two players who were often criticised last season were also impressive. Willy Caballero, an Argentinian goalkeeper brought in to challenge Joe Hart, has rarely looked capable of usurping the England No. 1, but he dealt with everything last night in a manner that suggests he is, in fact, a capable deputy.

And Fernando, signed from Porto last summer for £12 million, was superb on his first start of the season after a groin injury, breaking up attacks and recycling possession with alarming regularity. He played through pain last season, but having returned now free from any complaints, he will want to show he is better than his debut season suggests. This performance could be the catalyst for better form.

Roberts’ introduction saw him impress, too. He has remarkably quick feet—a technically gifted 18-year-old with an obviously bright future, underlined by his desire to run at players far more senior than him without appearing overawed. He didn’t hide or play it safe. He took risks, which is very often the mark of a player with a lot to offer.

"

Good 4-1 result in the cup! Very happy to make my debut! Go again on the weekend #MCFC

— Patrick Roberts (@patrick7roberts) September 22, 2015"

Garcia, the youngest player on the pitch at just 17, came on with around 20 minutes remaining and looked comfortable, but perhaps the night belonged to Evans, a 20–year-old midfielder who made City history in the north-east.

His four-minute cameo saw him become the first City player to represent the club at every level, from under-eights right through to the first team, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News.

For a young Mancunian, a lifelong City fan, to achieve such a feat is a wonderful achievement. “It was best day of my life by far,” he said afterwards in an emotional CityTV interview. “I’m a big City fan. I’m lost for words.”

"

"The best day of my life" - @georgeevans70 #mcfc https://t.co/EDONOgWlBc

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 22, 2015"

City are comfortably in the fourth-round draw and supporters are already dreaming of a repeat of their 2014 triumph. Their new recruits were further bedded in, fringe players were given were a platform to establish some confidence and three young players were handed senior debuts. 

Perhaps Pellegrini knows better than the band of braying jackals who spent an hour before the game lamenting his judgement.

"

86. @GeorgeEvans70 coming on - the first #mcfc player to represent EVERY club age group from under 8s to first team. pic.twitter.com/wIMh58ew6N

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 22, 2015"

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard.