Three goals in the space of three first-half minutes turned tonight's Carling Cup tie at Molineux in the favour of Manchester City.
Hosts Wolverhampton Wanderers, who started the brighter of the two sides, took an 18th minute lead. Sam Vokes was the creator, crossing for Nenad Milijaš to score from close range.
The match turned in the 37th minute courtesy of Adam Johnson, who collected Edin Dzeko's cut-back to score from the edge of the area.
The ball was in Wolves' net again just one minute later through Samir Nasri, before Dzeko got in on the act in the 40th minute.
Roberto Mancini's City carried on where they left off after the restart, with Wolves goalkeeper Dorus de Vries turning Luca Scapuzzi's effort into his own net.
Dzeko went on to claim his fourth goal in two matches after 64 minutes, as City put the tie beyond the reach of the home side.
However, Wolves weren't done in front of goal, with substitute Jamie O'Hara claiming a consolation 25 minutes from time.