Rulli’s shootout heroics earn Manchester City Carabao Cup win against Brighton
Manchester City beat Brighton 4-3 on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after twice coming from behind in a 2-2 draw. Goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli saved two Brighton penalties, including Lewis Dunk’s decisive fifth attempt, while Jérémy Doku’s second-half introduction helped City build pressure and force the equaliser.
Malick Yalcouyé and Georginio Rutter scored for Brighton; Mateo Kovacic and Vitor Reis replied for City. Jason Steele saved Kovacic’s penalty, but Rulli’s stops secured the shootout. City will face League One Bradford in the quarter-finals, while Brighton have a chance to respond when the sides meet again in the league on Saturday.
In short
- Rulli saved two penalties as City won the shootout 4-3.
- City and Brighton drew 2-2 after Brighton led twice.
- City will meet Bradford in the quarter-finals.
Explained simply
The Carabao Cup is an English knockout competition open to clubs in the top four divisions. Teams play one another in single matches, with a penalty shootout deciding a tie that remains level after normal time.
Manchester City and Brighton are Premier League clubs, but the cup also gives lower-division sides a route to face stronger teams. City are among England’s most successful clubs in recent years, while Brighton have established themselves in the top flight; their meetings therefore bring together teams with different levels of recent silverware and resources.
The quarter-finals are the last eight, with the winners moving one step closer to the final at Wembley. For clubs, a cup run can bring a chance of a trophy and matches against varied opponents alongside their league campaigns.