Manchester City survive Brighton scare to reach Carabao Cup quarter-finals

Manchester City survived a major scare against Brighton & Hove Albion to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, winning 4–3 on penalties after a thrilling 2–2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. The holders had to come from behind twice before securing their place in the last eight, with goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli emerging as the hero of the shootout.

Brighton took the lead in the 30th minute through Malick Yalcouyé, who finished a move created by Georginio Rutter. City responded ten minutes later when Mateo Kovačić found the net with a low strike from outside the penalty area, sending the teams into the break level at 1–1.

The visitors struck again shortly after half-time, with Rutter finishing Jaouen Hadjam’s pass in the 47th minute. City pushed for another equaliser and found it in the 72nd minute when Vitor Reis got the final touch on a free-kick from Rayan Cherki. Neither side could find a winner in the remaining minutes, forcing the tie to be decided from the penalty spot.

City converted four of their five penalties, with Phil Foden, Enzo Fernández, Jérémy Doku and Cherki scoring. Kovačić was denied by Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, but Rulli saved attempts from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to swing the shootout in the hosts’ favour. Cherki then converted the decisive kick, sending the holders into the quarter-finals, where they will face Bradford City.