Manchester City edge Brighton on penalties to reach Carabao Cup quarter-finals

Manchester City reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals by beating Brighton 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the fourth-round tie ended 2-2, according to The Guardian. Goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli was decisive for City, saving Brighton’s attempts from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk. Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele also stopped Mateo Kovacic’s penalty, but City ultimately advanced.

Brighton took the lead through Malick Yalcouyé, whose shot went in after striking Rulli. The Guardian noted that the forward appeared to be narrowly offside, but the goal stood because there was no video assistant referee in the competition. City levelled when Kovacic finished from the edge of the penalty area after being played in by Phil Foden.

Brighton restored their advantage after the interval, with Georginio Rutter sliding in Jaouen Hadjam’s cross. The match changed after City introduced Jérémy Doku. The Guardian reported that the substitute’s pace and attacking movement gave City greater energy and put Brighton’s defence under sustained pressure.

City equalised when Rayan Cherki’s free-kick was deflected by Vitor Reis and wrong-footed Steele. Brighton had earlier created opportunities to extend their lead, including a chance for Rutter, but City forced the tie to penalties. Manager Enzo Maresca said he was pleased with the result and Doku’s impact, while acknowledging that City could have defended better.

Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler said his side had created enough chances to win and described the shootout as a matter of luck. City’s quarter-final opponent will be League One Bradford. The teams are due to meet again in the league on Saturday, when Hürzeler said Brighton would have an opportunity to respond.