The Tigers exited the Carling Cup with hardly a whimper as they were thrashed 4-0 by Everton in the Third Round at the KC Stadium on Wednesday night.

Everton were 3-0 up inside 25 minutes and although City produced a slightly improved second half performance the damage had already been done.

Attempting to reach the Fourth Round for the first time since 1977-78, City made nine changes to the side - with only Kamil Zayatte and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink retaining their places - after the weekend defeat to Birmingham City.

Youngsters Liam Cooper, Nicky Featherstone and Tom Cairney were given further chances to impress alongside the experience of captain George Boateng and Ex-Evertonian Nick Barmby.

Another former Everton player, Kevin Kilbane, was on the Tigers' bench.

Everton fielded a strong side, although star man Tim Cahill started on the bench.

City played some neat football during the opening stages, leading to a seventh-minute corner, but Nick Barmby's delivery failed to pick out a team-mate.

However, it was Everton who took the lead on 11 minutes.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov fed Yakubu in the area.

Making his first appearance for almost a year following injury, the Nigerian striker produced a cool finish past Matt Duke and into the far corner of the net.

It was 2-0 on 20 minutes.

A free kick midway inside the City half was played into the box by Bilyaletdinov where it was met by Jo and his header was too good for Duke.

A third goal followed four minutes later as City were sliced open.

Dan Gosling was sent through and he made no mistake when firing past an exposed Duke.

City went close to pulling a goal back in first half added time, but Vennegoor of Hesselink's header from Cairney's corner went wide.

Half Time: Tigers 0-3 Everton

City made a double change at half time as Dean Marney replaced Boateng and Paul McShane came on for Featherstone.

Everton replaced Yakubu with Marouane Fellaini.

The changes seemed to liven up the home team as Bernard Mendy, now playing on the right of midfield, burst into the Everton box only to see his shot blocked.

A long ball from left back Peter Halmosi then caused problems for the Everton defence, but Kamel Ghilas blasted a shot over the bar.

Ghilas out-muscled Tony Hibbert out wide to cross low for Vennegoor of Hesselink, but his shot was deflected over.

But Everton's first effort of the second half gave them a 4-0 lead on 57 minutes.

John Heitinga's free kick was blocked by the City wall, but the ball fell for Leon Osman who finished from close range.

City's third and final substitute Kevin Kilbane, on for Barmby, picked up a yellow card on 78 minutes for a late tackle on Bilyaletdinov.

Some lovely play by Cairney set Ghilas up in the 80th minute, but his low shot came back off the near post before Halmosi's follow-up was blocked.

Cairney was booked four minutes from time for a foul on Osman.

Everton goalkeeper was finally called upon in added time, producing a brilliant save as McShane followed up his own shot from close range.

Tigers (4-3-1-2) Matt Duke; Bernard Mendy, Kamil Zayatte, Liam Cooper, Peter Halmosi; Nicky Featherstone (McShane 46), George Boateng [captain] (Marney 46), Tom Cairney; Nick Barmby (Kilbane 66); Kamel Ghilas, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Subs: Tony Warner, Paul McShane, Kevin Kilbane, Dean Marney, Geovanni, Craig Fagan, Daniel Cousin.

Bookings: Zayatte 44, Kilbane 78, Cairney 86.

Everton (4-4-2) Tim Howard; Tony Hibbert, John Heitinga, Sylvain Distin, Leighton Baines (Neill 62); Dan Gosling, Leon Osman [captain], Jack Rodwell, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (Agard 84); Jo, Yakubu (Fellaini 46).

Subs: Carlo Nash, Louis Saha, Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill, Marouane Fellaini, Shane Duffy, Kieran Agard.

Bookings: Nil