Manchester City survived a spirited challenge from Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night, winning 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw to advance to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
City twice came from behind in an entertaining round-of-16 encounter before goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli emerged as the hero, saving two penalties to secure his side’s passage into the last eight.
Brighton took the lead in the 30th minute through Malick Yalcouye, who produced an impressive volley from inside the penalty area following an assist from Georginio Rutter.
The visitors had threatened earlier, with Rutter forcing Rulli into a fine save in the 20th minute as Brighton demonstrated their attacking intentions.
City responded in the 40th minute when Mateo Kovacic collected a pass from Phil Foden and unleashed a powerful effort from outside the box. The ball struck the post before crossing the line to restore parity.
However, Brighton regained their advantage just two minutes after the restart.
Rutter capitalised on a pass from Jaouen Hadjam following a scramble inside the City penalty area, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.
The visitors subsequently threatened to extend their lead, but Rulli produced another outstanding save to deny Rutter in the 59th minute.
City intensified their search for an equaliser, introducing Jeremy Doku as they attempted to regain control of the contest.
Their persistence paid off in the 72nd minute when Vitor Reis converted a delivery from Rayan Cherki, firing low into the net to bring the scores level at 2-2.
Both sides continued searching for a winner, with Brighton coming agonisingly close in the 88th minute when Mats Wieffer struck the crossbar following a corner.
Neither team could find a decisive goal before the final whistle, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.
Foden, Enzo Fernandez, Doku and Cherki converted their penalties for City, although Kovacic saw his effort saved by Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Brighton’s Pascal Gross, Matt O’Riley and Maxim De Cuyper scored from the spot, but Rulli denied Yasin Ayari before producing another crucial save against Lewis Dunk.
City now progress to the quarter-finals, while Brighton exit the competition despite an impressive performance that pushed their opponents to the limit.
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