Sunderland 1-2 Stoke City

Stoke have won all three meetings with Sunderland in the League Cup

Marc Muniesa scored twice as Stoke beat last season's finalists Sunderland to reach the Capital One Cup fourth round.

Jozy Altidore swept in his first goal in 30 games to put Sunderland ahead but Muniesa beat keeper Costel Pantilimon at his near post to equalise.

Jack Butland denied Adam Johnson's free-kick before the Stoke goalkeeper tipped behind Will Buckley's shot.

But Muniesa sealed Stoke's progression when he pounced on a loose ball and smashed home late on.

It will be a disappointing exit for Sunderland after such an impressive run last year when they beat Chelsea and Manchester United on the way to March's final, which they lost 3-1 to Manchester City.

They will perhaps feel a little aggrieved, having dominated for large periods, but in the end were undone by two fine strikes.

The home side had made the perfect start, with Altidore, who last scored for Sunderland in a 4-3 defeat by Chelsea last December, giving them the lead with just over 15 minutes gone.

The United States striker received a pass on the edge of the area, turned quickly and despatched a low shot into the bottom corner, with Stoke goalkeeper Butland stranded.

Stoke had been gradually improving after Sunderland's opener, and equalised on the half hour when Oussama Assaidi fed a pass to Muniesa, who broke into space inside the box and drove a shot beyond Pantilimon.

From then on the game was wide open, with both sides having chances as Johnson saw his curling free-kick tipped over by Butland while former Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley fizzed a powerful effort just wide for Stoke.

Sunderland scored at least two goals in five of the seven matches they played in the League Cup last season and only a stunning one-handed save from Butland denied them a second in this game as he reacted well to keep out Buckley's goalbound effort.

It was to prove a vital intervention as Muniesa again found himself in space on the left of the Sunderland area and he let fly with a stinging shot that gave Pantilimon no chance.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes on Muniesa: "Apparently he's only scored about three goals in his whole career, so he has nearly matched it.

"Given his pedigree, we know he's a technically-gifted football player and it doesn't matter where I play him - I have played him centre-half, I have played him left-back, he has probably got the ability to play in midfield as well, but he hasn't had those opportunities.

"But because of his technical ability when he finds himself in different areas of the field, he is able to make the right decisions and affect the game, which is what happened with his goals."

Marc Muniesa's goals were his first and second of the season for Stoke

Jozy Altidore's goal was his first for Sunderland in 30 appearances

Sunderland lost 3-1 to Manchester City in the final of last season's League Cup