LONDON, Oct 11: Darren Huckerby scored four times as Manchester City crushed Birmingham City 6-0 while Fulham roared back to beat Derby County 5-2 in the English League Cup third round Wednesday.

Premier League Aston Villa settled for a 1-0 win over second division giant killers Reading, who last month knocked out West Ham United on penalties.

Craig Short headed an extra-time winner for Blackburn Rovers when they beat Middlesbrough 2-1, while Sheffield Wednesday outgunned Crystal Palace 3-1 on penalties after twice coming from behind in a 2-2 draw after extra-time.

Kevin Keegan’s Manchester City killed their game with three goals inside the opening 25 minutes as Huckerby got to work.

He opened his account in the 10th minute, slotting home Shaun Goater’s pass, Birmingham’s French defender Tresor Luntala scored an own goal five minutes later and Huckerby struck again after being released by Ali Benarbia.

Huckerby turned provider soon after the re-start, spurning the chance of a hat-trick to get Goater on to the scoresheet.

But Goater returned the favour in the 81st minute for the former Coventry City and Leeds striker to bring up his hat-trick, before poaching another in the 89th minute.

Colin Todd made a miserable start as manager of premier league Derby after Jim Smith stepped down on Monday.

Fulham twice came from behind — goals from Barry Hayles and Sylvain Legwinski cancelling out strikes by Craig Burley and Italian Fabrizio Ravanelli.

But two goals midway through the second half decided the tie, a John Collins free-kick and a superb strike after a solo run in the 71st minute from substitute Louis Saha. Another French sub, Steed Malbranque, converted an 80th minute penalty.

English League Cup third round results:

Aston Villa 1 Reading 0

Blackburn Rovers 2 Middlesbrough 1

Fulham 5 Derby County 2

Manchester City 6 Birmingham City 0

Sheffield Wednesday 2 Crystal Palace 2

After extra time Sheffield wednesday win 3-1 on penalties.—Reuters