Lee Nicholls made a promising debut despite the result

Latics unsurprisingly slipped out of the League Cup at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City hit five goals to secure a place in the fourth round.

City only led 1-0 at half time after good work by Fernandinho set up Edin Dzeko to score but four second half goals emphasized City’s dominance.

Stevan Jovetic tapped the ball in for the second after Wigan keeper Lee Nicholls had initially saved and Yaya Toure curled in a superb free kick for the third.

Jovetic added a fourth after a mistake by substitute Ryan Shotton and Jesus Navas hit a powerful low shot inside the near post for the fifth.

There have been many changes at both clubs since Wigan’s historic FA Cup win in May but the seismic changes that have taken place at the DW Stadium are far greater than anything happening at the Etihad.

Wigan’s new manager Owen Coyle made nine changes from the team which defeated Ipswich on Sunday and gave debuts to goalkeeper Lee Nicholls and wing back Juan Carlos Garcia. Wigan were once again without a regular centre forward and young french winger Nuoho Dicko was given the role as the lone front-runner. With Holt, Fortune, Maloney and McManaman all injured the options for the manager were extremely limited.

Manuel Pellegrini also shuffled his pack making ten changes following City’s recent derby win against Manchester United, but in reality it made little difference as he has an embarrassment of riches compared to Latics.

City started the game strongly and if it was not for rooky Latics goalkeeper Nicholls they could have taken an early lead.

Latics offered little going forward and it was perhaps surprising that City did not score sooner than the 32nd minute. Fernandinho played a delicate chip over a static Wigan back line and Edin Dzeko slide in to poke the ball past Nicholls.

The second half continued in a similar vein with City dominating possession and creating numerous goalscoring opportunities.

Wigan’s debutant keeper Nicholls was having an outstanding game, he was called upon to make an excellent double save first from a Dzeko shot and then an effort by Navas was deflected by Stephen Crainey and the young keeper made a brilliant reflex save.

There was a suggestion of offside about City’s second goal, Nicholls initially denied Jovetic but the £22m striker followed up to score and referee Kevin Friend allowed the goal to stand.

In the 74th minute Fraser Fyvie committed a reckless and unnecessary foul about 25 yards from goal. Substitute Yaya Toure stepped up to curl a superb free kick over the wall and past the despairing dive of Nicholls.

In the 83rd minute the tiring Emmerson Boyce was outrun by James Milner who crossed the ball in to the six yard box and Ryan Shotton made a hash of the clearance and presented an easy opportunity for Jovetic to poke the ball home.

The rout was completed when Jesus Navas was allowed far too much room on the right hand side and the tricky Spaniard cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable shot past the Wigan keeper.

The difference in class was evident throughout but it was also apparent that Wigan didn’t show any real desire to go further in a competition which cannot be a priority for a team seeking a quick return to the Premier League and competing in the group stages of the Europa League.