EFL Cup: Holders Man City edge past Brighton on penalties

Stand-in goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli was the hero by saving two penalties as holders Manchester City edged past Brighton in a shootout after a 2-2 draw to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Rulli kept out the final two spot kicks from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to send City through. They will find out their opponents in the next round upon the conclusion of the Liverpool-Chelsea tie on Wednesday night.

Brighton stunned the home crowd by going ahead on the half-hour mark through Malick Yalcouye’s finish from close range, the midfielder converting from Georginio Rutter’s cross.

But five minutes before half-time, City drew level courtesy of Mateo Kovacic’s strike from long range, which flew past the reach of 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 his low free-kick was flicked into the net by Vitor Reis’ 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.