Manchester City reached the Carabao Cup quarter finals after beating Brighton in a penalty shootout following a thrilling 2-2 draw. Stand in goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli proved the difference, saving two penalties to send the holders through.
Rulli denied Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk with Brighton’s final two spot kicks. City will discover their quarter final opponents on Wednesday night.
Brighton Push City to the Limit
Brighton took the lead in the 30th minute when Malick Yalcouye finished from close range. The midfielder met Georginio Rutter’s cross and stunned the home crowd.
Manchester City responded five minutes before half time. Mateo Kovacic struck from long range, sending the ball beyond Jason Steele and into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Brighton came out strongly after the break and regained the lead within seconds. Jaouen Hadjam delivered a clever cutback, which Rutter converted with a fine first time finish.
Rutter nearly extended Brighton’s advantage, but Rulli produced a superb fingertip save to deny him a second goal. The French forward later went around the City goalkeeper but could only hit the side netting.
City continued to search for an equaliser. Rayan Cherki saw his effort deflect narrowly wide before creating another chance with a low free kick. Vitor Reis stretched out a foot and flicked the ball into the net to bring City level at 2 to 2.
Brighton came close to winning the match late in the second half when substitute Mats Wieffer struck the post. Neither side could find a winner, so the tie went to penalties.
Rulli then took centre stage. His saves from Ayari and Dunk secured City’s progress to the quarter finals and kept their defence of the Carabao Cup on track.
