In a tense Carabao Cup tie at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City emerged victorious over Brighton & Hove Albion after a 2‑2 draw, thanks to goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli’s two penalty saves in the shootout.
Brighton opened the scoring on the half‑hour mark when Malick Yalcouye converted a close‑range finish from Georginio Rutter’s cross. Five minutes before half‑time, City levelled with a long‑range strike from Mateo Kovacic, which sailed past Jason Steele into the bottom corner.
Just seconds after the restart, Brighton retook the lead when Fabian Hurzeler’s side capitalised on a first‑time finish from Jaouen Hadjam’s cutback, assisted by Rutter. Brighton’s Rutter later attempted a second goal, but Rulli made a fingertip save and also struck the side netting after a clever round‑about.
City fought back with a free‑kick goal from Vitor Reis, but the match finished 2‑2 and went to penalties. Rulli was the hero, stopping Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk, sending City through to face League One side Bradford City in the last eight.
Brighton’s Mats Wieffer struck the post late in the second half, but the shootout decided the outcome, with Rulli’s heroics sealing City’s progression.
