Agbonlahor edged the goal-scoring battle, netting his fourth shortly after half-time as David O’Leary’s side overawed their opponents. Midfielder Jamie Lenton pulled one back for the home side after the interval before Moore scored his first of the evening. The England Under-21 forward teed up Peter Whittingham shortly after before sealing his hat-trick with two late strikes.
But the night was rookie Agbonlahor’s as soon as he collected a long ball, coolly rounded Ryan Price before slotting home on 18 minutes. The former Birmingham City goalkeeper was again helpless on the half-hour mark when Agbonlahor’s chip sailed over him before the Birmingham-born teenager completed his hat-trick seven minutes later.
His fourth came just after the restart and although Lenton pulled one back on 56 minutes, Moore promptly restored the four-goal lead after good work by Ulises de la Cruz. Moore then turned provider to tee up Whittingham before Moore raced onto substitute Kabeya’s pass to make it seven. And a convincing performance was capped off with the goal of the night with eight minutes remaining when Moore ghosted past several defenders before slotting home.
Even a facial injury to Gary Cahill could not put a dampener on the night although some might question the value of playing a team that ply their trade in the Conference North. Elsewhere tonight, Charlton Athletic beat Feyenoord, Everton defeated Udinese and Middlesbrough lost to Athletico Madrid.