Penalty drama sends Manchester City into League Cup last eight

Manchester City reached the quarter-finals of the English League Cup after beating Brighton 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Mateo Kovacic missed for Manchester City in the shootout, while Brighton’s Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk failed to convert their attempts.

The result spared Manchester City the fate suffered by Arsenal, who were eliminated on penalties by Fleetwood, a fourth-tier club, in one of the biggest shocks of the season.

Manchester City had fielded a team made up of reserve players, but recovered twice after Brighton took the lead during an absorbing tie.

Malick Yalcouye opened the scoring in the 30th minute when his shot struck the goalkeeper’s face before continuing into the net.

The hosts equalised five minutes before half-time through Mateo Kovacic, whose effort from outside the penalty area took a deflection that wrong-footed the goalkeeper.

Brighton restored their advantage two minutes after the restart. Jorginho Rutter converted a low cross to put the visitors back in front.

Manchester City levelled again in the 72nd minute when Rayan Cherki’s shot struck team-mate Vitor Reis and changed direction on its way into the goal.

Neither side could find a winner before the end of normal time, sending the match to a penalty shootout, where Manchester City eventually prevailed 4-3.

The quarter-final draw will take place later, with Manchester City joined by seven other clubs.

Manchester City and Brighton will meet again at the same stadium on Saturday in the Premier League.