Frank Lampard and Edin Dzeko scored twice as holders Manchester City sailed into the English League Cup fourth round with a crushing 7-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, while Chelsea beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1.
After struggling to break down their Championship (second tier) opponents in the first half, City produced a blistering spell of four goals in 13 minutes immediately after the break.
Lampard opened the scoring just three days after netting against his former club Chelsea before Dzeko, Jesus Navas, Yaya Toure, Dzeko, Jose Pozo and Lampard completed the rout.
Chelsea, top of the Premier League and unbeaten in all competitions this season, had Kurt Zouma's equaliser cancelled out by Matt Mills before Oscar's skidding low shot in the 55th minute secured a victory that was more comfortable than the scoreline suggested.
Elsewhere, Ryan Mason, Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane scored late goals as Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to beat Championship leaders Nottingham Forest 3-1
West Bromwich Albion recorded a spectacular 3-2 home win over Hull City courtesy of late goals from Gareth McAuley and Saido Berahino while in the other all Premier League tie Crystal Palace and Newcastle United went to extra time after a 2-2 draw.
City named a strong line-up against high-flying Championship side Wednesday and had far too much quality for their opponents.
Lampard stabbed home James Milner's cross at the near post after 47 minutes and that signalled the start of a devastating spell that yielded three further goals before the hour mark.
Dzeko swept in before the impressive Navas thumped in a third and talismanic midfielder Toure scored from the penalty spot.
Bosnian Dzeko added his second with a thunderous header and 18-year-old forward Pozo scored a debut goal before the evergreen Lampard completed the scoring in the final minute with a typical late-arriving finish.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea named a similarly impressive starting line-up and took control from the opening whistle without scoring the goals that reflected their dominance.
After German World Cup winner Andre Schuerrle had gone close twice in quick succession, highly-rated 19-year-old Zouma grabbed a debut goal.
Bolton restored parity through Mill's commanding header six minutes later and Chelsea squandered chance after chance before Oscar added a second with an accurate long-range strike.
The hosts were nearly made to pay for their wastefulness but Bolton failed to seriously trouble Petr Cech, playing his first game of the season after being displaced in goal by Thibaut Courtois, in a late spell of pressure.
Second tier Brighton & Hove Albion comfortably overcame fourth tier Burton Albion 3-0.
