Stand-in goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli was the hero, saving two penalties as holders Manchester City edged past Brighton in a shootout after a 2-2 draw to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Rulli kept out the final two spot kicks from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to send City through to face League One side Bradford City in the last eight.
Brighton stunned the home crowd by going ahead on the half-hour mark through Malick Yalcouye’s close-range finish, converting Georginio Rutter’s cross.
But five minutes before half-time, City drew level with a long-range strike from Mateo Kovacic that flew past Jason Steele and nestled in the bottom corner.
Just seconds after the restart, Fabian Hurzeler’s side retook the lead following Rutter’s fine first-time finish from Jaouen Hadjam’s clever cutback.
Brighton could have extended their lead further, but Rulli made a stunning fingertip save to deny Rutter a second, while the Frenchman also hit the side netting after going round the City goalkeeper.
Rayan Cherki saw an effort deflect narrowly wide as City looked to claw their way back into the tie, before Vitor Reis flicked his low free-kick into the net with his outstretched foot.
Substitute Mats Wieffer struck the post late in the second half for Brighton, but the match went to penalties before Rulli’s heroics sent City through.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Source link
