City rout Wolves to reach quarters

Manchester City turned on the style again as Roberto Mancini’s side followed their demolition of Manchester United with a 5-2 win at Wolves in the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday. Mancini made 11 changes from the side that routed United 6-1 on Sunday, but the Italian’s understudies were still far too strong for struggling Wolves as Edin Dzeko’s double, strikes from Adam Johnson and Samir Nasri and a Dorus De Vries own goal booked City’s place in the quarter-finals. Wolves took the lead thanks to a Nenad Milijas strike from Adlene Guedioura’s pass in the 18th minute. But City are full of confidence right now after surging five points clear at the top of the Premier League and England winger Johnson swept in a 37th minute equaliser from Dzeko’s pass. Nasri put City in front in the 39th minute, sliding home from Johnson’s pass, and Bosnia striker Dzeko added the third one a minute later with a tap-in after Luca Scapuzzi’s shot was saved. City’s fourth goal arrived in the 50th minute when Scapuzzi fired in a shot that cannoned into the net off the back of Wolves goalkeeper De Vries. Dzeko made it five in the 64th minute and Jamie O’Hara got one back for Wolves. Mancini wants more from Johnson despite a fine display from the winger and he said: “Adam Johnson played well, but I think he can give more. He has everything to be one of the best wingers.” Chelsea put a traumatic few days behind them to beat Everton 2-1 after extra time at Goodison Park. Andre Villas-Boas’s side have had to deal with the fall-out from a 1-0 loss at QPR that saw the FA launch an investigation into allegations of racist abuse from England captain John Terry. But they showed impressive spirit to see off Everton in dramatic fashion. Nicolas Anelka missed a first half penalty after Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran was tripped by Johnny Heitinga. But Chelsea went ahead in the 38th minute when Jan Mucha made a complete hash of saving a weak lob from Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou and allowed the ball to trickle through his grasp into the net. Everton wasted a chance to get back in the match after half-time when Chelsea goalkeeper Ross Turnbull was sent off after conceding a penalty with a foul on Louis Saha. Petr Cech came on to replace Turnbull and he saved Leighton Baines’ penalty. Saha headed an 83rd minute equaliser from Seamus Coleman’s cross. However, Everton midfielder Royston Drenthe was sent off in extra-time for two bookable offences and Daniel Sturridge grabbed the winner in the 116th minute. Luis Suarez fired Liverpool into the quarter-finals for the first time in four seasons as the Uruguay striker’s double clinched a 2-1 win at Stoke. City’s Tevez did not refuse to play: PFA LONDON: Carlos Tevez should not have been fined four weeks’ wages by Manchester City as he did not refuse to play in last month’s Champions League match at Bayern Munich, England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) said yesterday. “The PFA’s opinion, based on all the evidence presented, is that Carlos Tevez never refused to play for the club,” a statement said. Following a disciplinary hearing that took place on Friday where PFA chief Gordon Taylor was in attendance, the Argentine international was fined on Tuesday after it was deemed he had committed five separate breaches of contract. They included “an obligation to participate in any matches in which the player is selected to play ... when directed by a club official”. The PFA disagreed with Tuesday’s ruling and have given their support to Tevez. “This is accepted by the club in that the charge against Carlos made at the hearing was not one of refusing to play,” the statement added. “As such the PFA considers that there is no justification for a fine other than up to the prescribed sanction of 2 weeks wages agreed by the FA, the Premier League and PFA. “The PFA has informed the Manchester City Football Club accordingly and Carlos will continue to be supported by the PFA in this regard.”