Stand-in goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli was the hero as holders Manchester City edged past Brighton on penalties following a 2-2 draw to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Rulli saved the final two spot-kicks from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to send City through. They will discover their quarter-final opponents after Wednesday night’s tie between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Brighton stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in the 30th minute through Malick Yalcouye, who converted Georginio Rutter’s cross from close range.
However, City drew level five minutes before half-time when Mateo Kovacic unleashed a long-range strike that flew beyond the reach of goalkeeper Jason Steele and nestled in the bottom corner.
Just seconds after the restart, Fabian Hurzeler’s side regained the lead as Rutter produced a superb first-time finish from Jaouen Hadjam’s clever cutback.
Brighton threatened to extend their advantage, but Rulli produced a stunning fingertip save to deny Rutter a second goal. The French forward later rounded the City goalkeeper but could only hit the side-netting.
Rayan Cherki saw an effort deflect narrowly wide as City pushed for an equaliser before his low free-kick was flicked into the net by Vitor Reis with an outstretched foot.
Substitute Mats Wieffer struck the post late in the second half, but neither side could find a winner in regulation time, forcing the tie into a penalty shootout. Rulli then delivered the decisive saves, denying Ayari and Dunk to secure City’s place in the quarter-finals.
