Manchester City survived a penalty shoot-out against Brighton to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals, winning 4-3 on spot-kicks after a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Geronimo Rulli was the decisive figure for the holders, saving penalties from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to secure Manchester City’s progress.
Brighton took the lead when Jack Hinshelwood collected the ball inside the City penalty area and found Georginio Rutter. His effort was heading towards goal before Malick Yalcouye turned it in from close range.
Mateo Kovacic restored parity five minutes before half-time. Brighton appeals for handball against Jaouen Hadjam were rejected, and Phil Foden then laid the ball off for Kovacic, who curled a fine shot in off the left post.
The visitors moved back in front 77 seconds after the restart. Hadjam’s cutback reached Rutter, who swept a low finish into the bottom-right corner.
Rutter then missed two chances to extend Brighton’s advantage before the hour. Rulli tipped his curling effort on to the crossbar, and moments later the striker rounded the City goalkeeper but put his shot into the side-netting from a narrow angle.
Manchester City levelled again in the 72nd minute when Vitor Reis inadvertently diverted Rayan Cherki’s powerful free-kick beyond the diving Jason Steele. Brighton almost found a winner late on, but Mats Wieffer struck the woodwork.
Both teams converted their first three penalties before Steele saved from Kovacic. Brighton could not capitalise, however, as Rulli dived to his left to keep out Ayari’s attempt.
Cherki calmly scored from 12 yards, but Dunk was unable to match him. Rulli guessed correctly and made the save that sent Manchester City through.
Cherki leads reshuffled City
Manchester City made nine changes from the side beaten by Aston Villa last weekend, with Marc Guehi and Cherki the only players to retain their places.
The changes were reflected in City’s attacking performance. They recorded an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.87 from 13 shots, with three on target, while Brighton’s 17 attempts produced an xG total of 2.06.
Cherki was nevertheless central to City’s threat. He led the team for shots, with six, chances created, with four, and passes in the final third, with 23.
Manchester City have now won or progressed from their last eight EFL Cup matches, matching their best-ever run in the competition. They are one of only seven teams to have achieved that feat.
The two sides are due to meet again at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League this weekend, when Cherki is expected to feature again.
Manchester City’s starting XI was Geronimo Rulli, Kovacic, Foden, Guehi, Cherki, Lewis, Nico O’Reilly, Allan, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Vitor Reis and Floyd Samba. Brighton started Jason Steele, Gross, Olivier Boscagli, Michael Svoboda, Costinha, Georginio Rutter, Yasin Ayari, Jaouen Hadjam, Diego Gomez, Jack Hinshelwood and Malick Yalcouye.
