Sensational Manchester City hit nine as Burton Albion dismantled in League Cup semi-final

Manchester City ended their League Cup semi-final tie with Burton at the halfway stage in devastating fashion as Pep Guardiola’s side scored nine, yes, nine first-leg goals without reply.

City’s squad cost more than one thousand times that of Burton’s, and the gulf in class showed at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

Kevin De Bruyne headed City in front, and though Marcus Harness will wonder ‘What if…’ after spurning a great opportunity to level, Gabriel Jesus soon added two more before Oleksandr Zinchenko scored his first goal for the club in fortuitous circumstances.

All that in just the opening 37 minutes. After the break, Jesus headed in for his hat-trick and then scored his fourth after Phil Foden also netted. Kyle Walker made it eight, Riyad Mahrez nine. Disgracefully*, City could not find a tenth.

The holders take their nine-goal lead to Burton for the return leg in a fortnight’s time. Alexa, what’s the opposite of: we wait with bated breath?

City show no mercy – After making light work of Rotherham with a 7-0 win in the FA Cup on the weekend, City were just as ruthless against a side 52 places below them in the football ladder.

Guardiola started De Bruyne and David Silva, and along with Mahrez, Jesus and Sane, it turned into an enjoyable – though far from taxing – training session for the boys in blue.

Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, proved – if at least to himself – why it’s worth fighting on all fronts, for when can scoring 16 goals in four days ever be a bad thing?

David Silva – City’s captain-for-the-night pulled the strings from midfield, assisting superbly for De Bruyne before laying it on a plate for Jesus’ second. He truly is a magician, and against this calibre of opposition, it soon turned into a non-contest.

And yes, Jesus scored four. But Silva.

Man City: Muric 6, Walker 7, Otamendi 6, Garcia 6, Zinchenko 7, Gundogan 8, D Silva 9, Sane 9, De Bruyne 8, Mahrez 9, Jesus 9. Subs: Foden 7, B Silva 6, Danilo 6

Burton: Collins 4, Brayford 4, Buxton 4, Allen 4, Turner 4, Fraser 5, Akins 6, Harness 4, Hutchinson 4, Wallace 4, Boyce 4. Subs: Fox 5, Templeton 5, Sbarra 6

5’ - GOAL! That didn't take long... It's a De Bruyne header believe it or not - the Belgian meets Silva's cross and steers his header in after taking a leap from the penalty spot.

13’ - WHAT A CHANCE FOR BURTON! It's a clever low cross from Akins from the left but Harness - under no pressure ten yards out - gets his attempt all wrong, firing wildly over when it looked easier to hit the target.

30’ - GOAL! Jesus heads City two clear... City have moved one step closer to killing this tie. Silva finds Sane, whose attempt is saved but bobs up nicely for Jesus to head in the rebound.

34’ - GOAL! Another for Jesus! Too easy. Gundogan's ball over the top finds Silva, who instead of shooting squares it for Jesus. He takes a couple of touches before firing in off the post.

37’ - GOAL! It's four! Zinchenko opens his account for City with a miscued cross! He lobs Collins and feels almost too embarrassed to celebrate.

57’ - GOAL! Three for Jesus! Silva slides it through for Mahrez, who dinks a ball in for Jesus to head in for his hat-trick.

62’ - GOAL! Foden gets in on the act! The youngster scores his second goal at the Etihad in five days, tapping in a rebound after Jesus' initial attempt is saved.

65’ - GOAL! It's seven... This is now very tough to watch. Sane's low cross finds Jesus and he steers it in for his fourth.

70’ - GOAL! Oh dear Walker scores City's eighth with a centre-forward's finish, converting nicely from Mahrez' cross.

83’ - GOAL! Mahrez makes it nine! I'm not enjoying this. B Silva is the creator, and he finds Mahrez who gets two bites at the cherry before sliding it past Collins.