Source: PA
De Bruyne brace helps Man City past Hull & into the Capital One Cup semi-finals
Manchester City booked their place in the Capital One Cup semi-finals, but the 4-1 scoreline flattered them somewhat against Championship side Hull.An early goal from Wilfried Bony should have been the platform for a comfortable win, but it was not until a strike from 19-year-old substitute Kelechi Iheanacho and a Kevin De Bruyne brace in the last 10 minutes that the match was wrapped up.Hull left-back Andrew Robertson scored an even later consolation but, in truth, three-time winners City were not really stretched at any point, with their superior fitness taking effect in the latter stages.Manager Manuel Pellegrini made five changes from Saturday's win over Southampton, which gave David Silva his first start in two months, and it affected their fluidity.Even the goal came from a Hull mistake, although there was no doubting the quality of De Bruyne's shot which cannoned back off the post into the path of Bony, who could not miss an empty net.Hull, fourth in the Championship and with their sights set on a return to the Premier League, made seven alterations from the defeat at Derby and that affected them even more.There was no energy, no competitiveness, no outlet and no cutting edge with leading scorer Abel Hernandez relegated to the bench.It led to a stultifying first half broken only by Bony's 12th-minute goal, which was virtually handed to the hosts when Hull attempted to launch a counter-attack, only for Sone Aluko and Chuba Akpom to leave the ball for one another.De Bruyne did not need a second invitation and although his effort hit the post Bony was on hand to finish it off.Conceding did little to rouse Hull from their slumber and it was not until two minutes before half-time they threatened in the opposition penalty area, but Akpom's promising diagonal run was not matched by the weak finish.Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic could only bat away another long-range De Bruyne shot after the break, but this time Bony failed to take advantage and Jesus Navas flashed a shot against the outside of the post.The Tigers sent on midfielder Mohamed Diame and top-scorer Hernandez with the game technically still in the balance, but it was the introduction of Raheem Sterling which proved decisive as his 80th-minute cross was turned home by fellow substitute Iheanacho.De Bruyne took advantage of widening gaps in Hull's defence to score his first and then whipped in a free-kick, meaning he has now been involved in 16 goals in 11 home matches for City.Robertson's goal in added time at least gave the 5,000-strong travelling support something to cheer.TWEET OF THE MATCH"City playing like its a training game, Hull good at playing the static opposition" - former City forward Rodney MarshPLAYER RATINGSManchester CityWILLY CABELLERO: 5BACARY SAGNA: 6NICOLAS OTAMENDI: 6ELIAQUIM MANGALA: 6GAEL CLICHY: 6FABIAN DELPH: 6FERNANDINHO: 6JESUS NAVAS: 5DAVID SILVA: 7KEVIN DE BRUYNE: 7WILFRIED BONY: 6SubstitutesRAHEEM STERLING (on for Navas, 62): 6KELECHI IHEANACHO (on for Bony, 70): 6MARTIN DEMICHELIS (on for Silva, 83): 5HullELDIN JAKUPOVIC: 6MOSES ODUBAJO: 6ALEX BRUCE: 6HARRY MAGUIRE: 7ANDREW ROBERTSON: 6AHMED ELMOHAMADY: 5ISAAC HAYDEN: 6RYAN TAYLOR: 5JAKE LIVERMORE: 7SONE ALUKO: 5CHUBA AKPOM: 5SubstitutesABEL HERNANDEZ (on for Akpom, 68): 5ROBERT SNODGRASS (on for 73): 6MOHAMED DIAME (on for Taylor, 58): 6STAR MANKevin de Bruyne - Continues to be City's most effective creator and posed the greatest threat on a relatively quiet night for most of his team-mates.MOMENT OF THE MATCHIn their eagerness to run forward for a counter-attack Sone Aluko and Chuba Akpom both left the ball for each other in the centre-circle - a couple of seconds later it was in the back of their net.VIEW FROM THE BENCHTigers boss Steve Bruce at least acted on the chance of getting something out of the game by sending on Mohamed Diame and top-scorer Abel Hernandez in the second half. Counterpart Manuel Pellegrini appeared to be happy for his side to go through the motions.MOAN OF THE MATCHCity made five changes, Hull made seven and it affected the game significantly. The League Cup may be low on City's list of priorities but Hull could - and should - have put more pressure on their hosts.WHO'S UP NEXT?Stoke v Manchester City (Premier League, Saturday December 5)Leeds v Hull (Championship, Saturday December 5)