Kevin De Bruyne hits double as Manchester City reach semi-finals

Kevin De Bruyne scored a late brace as Manchester City thrashed Hull City 4-1 to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup.

The Premier League leaders grabbed an early lead when De Bruyne’s long-range drive struck the post and Wilfried Bony was on hand to slot in the rebound from close range.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who were boosted by the return of David Silva after a two-month injury lay-off, had to wait until the 80th minute to double their lead with substitute Kelechi Iheanacho netting.

And De Bruyne made it a resounding victory by taking advantage of a back pass to poke the ball in eight minutes from time before curling in a fine free-kick for City’s fourth goal.

Andrew Robertson scored a late consolation for Steve Bruce’s side but it was not enough to spoil the night for City, who will find out who they will play in the last four after Southampton’s game with Liverpool on Wednesday.

12’ - GOAL! Manchester 1-0 Hull City: One chance one goal. De Bruyne's shot from distance hits the post and Bony is in the right place to slot in the rebound from around eight yards.

31’ – BONY SHOT: Bony's shot from just outside the box is saved comfortably, he will be disappointed with that effort as he had space.

43’ – AKPOM CHANCE: Akpom has an opening inside the box, he shoots from an acute angle but doesn't generate any power and Caballero gathers comfortably.

44’ – HAYDEN EFFORT: Hayden cuts inside and goes for a left footed effort from 25 yards but its comfortable again for the keeper.

56’ – DE BRUYNE DRIVE: De Bruyne has space and his vicious drive is palmed by the keeper and Bony cannot get onto the rebound on this occasion.

60’ – NAVAS SHOT: Silva's cross from the left is only half cleared, it falls to the Spaniard whose fizzing effort from just inside the box arrows just wide.

71’ – SILVA SHOT: A cross is headed away and Silva hammers in a first-time effort from 25 yards that whistles wide of the post.

76’ – DELPH EFFORT: Silva threads the ball through to Delph whose first touch is good as he goes across the box but his low shot is saved, should have done better from there.

80’ - GOAL! Manchester City 2-0 Hull City: Sterling's first time cross from the left is slotted in from close range by Iheanacho to make it 2-0.

82’ - GOAL! Manchester 3-0 Hull City: City put this tie to bed with De Bruyne ghosting into the box to punish a poor header back to the keeper to poke the ball in.

87’ – GOAL! Manchester 4-0 Hull City: City have a free-kick 25 yards out. De Bruyne steps up and curls the ball into the top left corner. Hull have a man on the line but that is not enough to stop the ball floating in.

90’ - GOAL! Manchester City 4-1 Hull City: The Tigers have a consolation with Robertson playing a one-two with Hernandez before lofting the ball over the advancing Caballero.

Manchester City have scored in all 12 home games this season.

De Bruyne has scored nine goals since his move from Wolfsburg to Manchester City.

Hull are without a win in their last three games.

Robert Snodgrass came on for his first game in 15 months after breaking his kneecap last year.

Has Kevin De Bruyne proved Chelsea were wrong to sell him? While the Blues are struggling for goals, the Belgian has been in inspired form since leaving Jose Mourinho's side in January 2014. He clocked up the assists at Wolfsburg but seems to have added goal-scoring to his repertoire at Manchester City. The midfielder has the confidence to shoot from long range and ghost into the box to make late runs which was too much for Hull to handle. Few people can question his £55 million transfer fee at the moment.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): His directness, confidence and movement are frightening at times. He scored two fine goals and it was his shot that resulted in Wilfried Bony's opener.

Manchester City: Caballero 6, Sagna 5, Otamendi 5, Mangala 4, Clichy 5, Delph 5, Fernandinho 5, Navas 5, Silva 8, De Bruyne 9, Bony 7. Subs: Sterling 6, Iheanacho 7, Demichelis 5.

Hull City : Jakupović 6, Odubajo 6, Bruce 6, Taylor 5, Maguire 6, Livermore 5, Akpom 5, Hayden 5, Aluko 5, Robertson 5, Elmohamady 5. Subs : Diamé 5, Hernández 5, Snodgrass 5.