Manchester City advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday, prevailing 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The match, held at the Etihad Stadium, saw Manchester City’s backup goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli emerge as the key figure by saving two penalties in a tense finale.
City, managed by Enzo Maresca, fielded a largely rotated squad as first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was given rest following a challenging recent run of games. Rulli, who joined Manchester City from Marseille in August, notably saved spot-kicks from Brighton’s Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk, helping secure the victory for the holders. Maresca praised Rulli’s performance but emphasized that Donnarumma remains the undisputed number one, stating the Italian will start in the upcoming Premier League fixture.
Brighton opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Malick Yalcouyé’s close-range effort was redirected past Rulli. Manchester City replied swiftly through Mateo Kovacic, whose curling 20-yard shot beat Brighton’s keeper Jason Steele after a pass from Phil Foden. Brighton regained the lead just after halftime when Georginio Rutter capitalized on a low cut-back from Jaouen Hadjam to score. Despite further Brighton chances, including two attempts by Rutter that were denied by Rulli or missed, Manchester City remained competitive.
City equalized again late in the game through Vitor Reis, whose deflected free-kick confused Steele. The match remained level at 2-2 after 90 minutes, sending the contest to penalties. Early in the shootout, Kovacic’s penalty was saved by Steele, giving Brighton an initial advantage; however, Rulli’s crucial saves of Ayari and Dunk’s penalties turned the momentum in City’s favor and ultimately secured their progression.
Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler, acknowledged his team’s misfortune in the shootout and expressed confidence ahead of their next match against Manchester City in the Premier League, noting his squad’s readiness despite the challenges of staying away from home.
Throughout the match, Manchester City’s younger players featured prominently. Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 19-year-old midfielder, was lauded for his composure and positioning, though the team struggled to maintain control against Brighton’s high pressing. Rayan Cherki, another of City’s hopeful talents, was the only player capable of creating significant openings, including a low free-kick leading to the equalizer.
Brighton, meanwhile, showed resilience and attacking intent, with French forward Rutter particularly influential but ultimately unable to convert key opportunities. The visitors had notched a notable upset in the previous round by eliminating Manchester United and aimed to repeat that success, but City’s determination and Rulli’s heroics ensured their Carabao Cup defense continued. The quarter-final matchup will be against League One side Bradford City, with Manchester City set to meet Brighton again in a league fixture in three days.