New-look City still far too strong for Wolves

City showed their tremendous strength in depth after Wolves, who also made nine changes, earned a shock lead through Nenad Milijas. Three goals in four minutes before half-time from Adam Johnson, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko killed off the tie.

Then Dorus De Vries (own goal) and Dzeko completed City’s nap hand before Jamie O’Hara’s consolation effort.

A second-half brace from Luis Suarez sent Liverpool through at the expense of Stoke. Both managers named strong teams, and a crowd of just short of 25,000 at the Britannia Stadium were rewarded with a first half full of chances.

The half ended with Stoke taking the lead, but it was a goal Liverpool will feel should have been prevented. Uruguayan defender Coates, making only his second start for the club, was robbed by Walters out on the right and the striker charged into the area before crossing for Jones to head into the far corner.

Nine minutes into the second half Liverpool drew level with a goal of real quality from Suarez. And the striker made sure the night belonged to him when, with extra-time looming, he headed in the winner five minutes from time.

Ten-men Chelsea required extra-time to despatch Everton at Goodison Park. Salomon Kalou opened the scoring in the first half, but the visitors had goalkeeper Ross Turnbull sent off after he brought down Louis Saha. However, replacement Petr Cech saved both the spot-kick and rebound by Leighton Baines.

Saha grabbed the equaliser 20 minutes later via a header, and the game required an extra 30 minutes of play. Despite being a man down, the London club won the game when Daniel Sturridge struck after a rebound.

In a thrilling encounter at Ewood Park, Blackburn edged Newcastle 4-3 after extra-time. Rovers should have won the game in 90 minutes, leading 2-0 as the game entered stoppage time, but Alan Pardew’s men struck twice to level things up. The drama continued in the extra period with three further goals. Blackburn retook the lead before Newcastle equalised again. But Gael Givet was the hero as he tapped in from close range to provide some respite for Rovers boss Steve Kean.