Man City defeat Brighton to qualify for League Cup quarter-finals
Manchester City recorded a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to qualify for the League Cup quarter-finals.
The regulation time ended 2-2 before Enzo Maresca’s men turned up in the penalty shootout to advance.
Malick Yalcouye stunned the home fans with a close range opener in the 30th minute, converting from Georginio Rutter’s cross.
Mateoc Kovacic restored parity for Man City with a long range effort five minutes before halftime.
Immediately after the restart, Brighton took the lead again through Georginio Rutter’s first-time finish from Jaouen Hadjam’s clever cutback.
Viktor Reis brought Man City back into the game with a fine individual goal in the 72nd minute to make it 2-2.
Both sides failed to get the winner before the tie went into penalty shootout.
Man City’s reserve goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk before Rayan Cherki scored the last kick to send Enzo Maresca’s men to the last eight of the competition.
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Brighton coach, Fabian Hurzeler, rued his team’s inability to finish their chances, while claiming Man City were lucky to win the match.
He said: “We had enough chances to win this game. The goals we conceded are very unlucky, that’s football, they had the luck on their side.
“We will analyse this game and we have a great chance on Saturday to take revenge – that’s what we will try to do.”
“We’ll see if it’s an advantage. We will try to make the best out of it, no excuses. We will come back full of energy and we go on Saturday.”
In the other League Cup matches, Liverpool defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after the regulation time ended 1-1.
Bournemouth spanked Aston Villa 3-0, Sunderland pipped Brentford 3-2, Crystal Palace defeated Fulham 1-0.
Everton will take on Newcastle United in the last fourth round fixture on Thursday night.
