Thursday links: Comfortable progress in the Carling Cup

A comfortable victory then which never seemed in any doubt and it is Owen Hargreaves - back in action after such a horror run of injuries - who is grabbing the headlines today.

In a much-changed side the concensus was that Hargreaves, along with the returning Kolo Toure, Mario Balotelli and youngster Abdul Razak (who has impressed in his few appearances to date) all shone but undoubtedly the focus post-match was all about City's recent signing:

• Daniel Taylor reflects on a comfortable night for City: [The Guardian]
• Mark Ogden reports on Hargeaves' comeback: [The Telegraph]
• Ian Herbert on the 'significant step' taken by Hargreaves: [The Independent]
• Chris Hughton thinks Birmingham may have too much respect: [Birmingham Mail]
• Stuart Brennan's match report: [MEN]
• And Rob Dawson's player ratings: [MEN]
• Hargeaves spoke post-match of his relief at getting back on the field: [The Guardian]
• And finally, he may played for only an hour, but Roberto Mancini saw enough to feel that Hargeaves could be set for an England recall: [MEN]