Sergio Aguero on fine form as City breeze through to fourth round

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Sergio Aguero on fine form as City breeze through to fourth round

There has been evidence lately that promoted Norwich are finding their feet in the Premier League, but they were easily knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City, who made seven changes to the side beaten by Everton in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final.

Yaya Toure, David Silva and Fernandino – all carrying minor injuries, according to the manager Manuel Pellegrini – were not involved, yet such are the resources at the Chilean’s disposal that the side he put out at the start cost, collectively, more than £180 million. And he was able to throw on another £55 million worth for the final half-hour when Kevin de Bruyne replaced Raheem Sterling.

It was all too much for Norwich, who also made seven changes from the line-up that achieved a third Premier League win in four matches against Southampton last week. The Canaries showed plenty of energy but their opponents simply had too much class and were clinically efficient when it mattered most.

Sergio Aguero, fit again after a season that has been restricted by hamstring and heel injuries, scored the opening goal, leaving three defenders in his wake before slipping the ball past John Ruddy, then set up the second for the 19-year-old Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored his fifth goal in only his third start this season.

Leading by two goals after barely half an hour, City were able to take full control of the match and their superiority was never more than momentarily challenged. De Bruyne added a touch of sublime skill of his own to score the third with 12 minutes left to play, sending defender Ryan Bennett one way and then the other before squeezing the ball past Ruddy.