Manchester City warmed up for their Premier League clash with Norwich City in ideal fashion in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.

Manuel Pellegrini's side thrashed top-flight rivals Crystal Palace 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium to seal a place in the quarter-finals.

Goals from former Swansea striker Wilfried Bony, his third in four games, and £55million summer signing Kevin de Bruyne put the hosts 2-0 ahead at the break.

Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho, who had set up Belgian star De Bruyne for his goal, extended the lead in the 59th minute before a penalty from skipper for the night Yaya Toure made it 4-0.

Damien Delaney pulled a goal back for Alan Pardew's visiting team in the 89th minute but 17-year-old substitute Manu Garcia Alonso slid home his first goal for the Citizens in added time to make the final score 5-1.

The victory extended City's unbeaten run to six matches, scoring 20 goals and conceding just five in the process.

They are top of the table courtesy of a better goal-difference than Arsenal ahead of Saturday's visit of the Canaries.

Big names including goalkeeper Joe Hart, captain Vincent Kompany and England attacker Raheem Sterling were all rested on the night.

Star forwards Sergio Aguero and David Silva both missed the game through injury, with Aguero not expected to recover from his hamstring injury in time to face Norwich but Spanish playmaker Silva close to shaking off an ankle injury.

Last night's victory earned City another home tie in the quarter-finals, against lower-level Hull City.