Manchester City have booked their spot in the final of the League Cup with a 9-0 aggregate win against West Ham United.
The away side got off to the best possible start when Alvaro Negredo gave them the lead after only three minutes.
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The striker was left unmarked in the box and had the simple task of nodding the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen in the home goal.
West Ham thought they had an equaliser five minutes later, but Kevin Nolan was flagged for offside as he slammed in Matthew Taylor's cross.
Despite going a goal down so early in the match, the Hammers fought back well. Mohamed Diame battled his way down the right before hanging the ball in the air. Andy Carroll attacked it, but his header went over.
Jaaskelainen was then called into action, tipping away a Sergio Aguero effort.
The striker did manage to find the net a few minutes later, however. Marcos Lopes did well, beating a number of tackles before sending in a cross. A couple of West Ham defenders tried to close down Aguero but failed, mistakes which allowed him to dink the ball over the goalkeeper.
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Carlton Cole saw his effort saved by Costel Pantilimon early in the second half, but it was soon 3-0 to City.
Negredo collected Aguero's short pass 25 yards from goal and moved into the area. Jaaskelainen came out to narrow the angle, but Negredo delayed his shot before lifting it over the goalkeeper.
City then played a free kick short before giving it to Lopes, who made his way down the right. The youngster sliced his cross but saw it hit the outside of the upright.
Cole put a header wide of the post after beating Jack Rodwell in the air, but Jesus Navas spurned a great chance to make it 4-0 when he shot high over the bar from just inside the area.
Gary Peters
