City survive Brighton scare on penalties to reach Carabao Cup last eight

Manchester City needed a penalty shootout to see off Brighton at the Etihad Stadium, winning 4-3 on spot-kicks after a 2-2 draw sent the Carabao Cup last-16 tie to extra tension rather than extra time.

Malick Yalcouye put Brighton ahead before Mateo Kovacic levelled for City just before half-time. Georginio Rutter restored the visitors' lead after the restart and went close to a second, striking the crossbar and side-netting as Brighton threatened to end City's defence of the trophy.

City turned to their bench to change the game. Jeremy Doku's introduction shifted the momentum, and in the 72nd minute Vitor Reis diverted a Rayan Cherki free-kick into his own net to drag the tie level and force penalties.

Stand-in goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, deputising for Gianluigi Donnarumma, became the decisive figure in the shootout. He saved efforts from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk as Phil Foden, Enzo Fernandez, Doku and Cherki all scored for City. Kovacic, who had equalised in open play, was the one City player to miss from twelve yards.

Manager Enzo Maresca had made nine changes for the tie, resting key figures including Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, and said he had no concerns about how his rotated side performed.

"I was happy with the way we planned the game, with the rotation, and especially I was very, very, very happy with the ones that were playing," Maresca said, according to Yahoo Sports.

He credited Doku's impact from the bench without overstating it. "I'm not sure he changed the game, but for sure he made an impact. This is the reason why they are there - when they start from the beginning, to try to do their best, and if they go on from the bench, to try to make an impact," the Italian added.

Maresca also revealed that his squad had never worked specifically on penalties since he took charge, a striking admission given the stakes of a Carabao Cup shootout. "To be honest, since I've been here we never practiced penalties," he said. "We're very happy with the five, even Mateo. It always happens, the one that scored during the 90 minutes, and then misses the penalty."

On Rulli's contribution beyond the shootout itself, Maresca said: "Apart from the penalties, I think overall he was good, especially in the build-up. He also made a good save."

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler pointed to fine margins rather than any tactical failing in his side's exit. "We lost in a shootout," he said. "We had enough chances to win the game but the goals we conceded were very unlucky. They had the luck today. We have to reset. We have a great chance on Saturday to take revenge."

Hurzeler declined to single out any individual for criticism over the missed penalties. "We will never blame players who miss chances or miss penalties. It is a team sport," he said.

City's reward for surviving the shootout is a quarter-final against League One side Bradford City, confirmed in Tuesday's draw alongside three other last-eight ties, as reported by Metro Football.

Fleetwood Town will face the winners of Everton's meeting with Newcastle United, Crystal Palace are drawn against Sunderland, and Liverpool - who avoided the holders - will play Bournemouth.

Brighton's focus now turns to their next assignment this Saturday, the fixture Hurzeler has already flagged as a chance to put the cup exit behind them.