Manchester City narrowly avoided a League Cup upset by defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 6-5 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in regulation, VoetbalPrimeur reported. The fourth-round fixture at the Etihad Stadium required spot-kicks after a tightly contested match where visiting manager Fabian Hürzeler’s side twice took the lead. Manchester City has won 3 of their last 5 official wedstrijden, scoring 14 goals and conceding 9, while Brighton entered the match following a run of results that included a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on 25 October 2026, a 0-0 draw against Jablonec on 22 October 2026, a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace on 18 October 2026, a 4-0 win against Kauno Žalgiris on 15 October 2026, and a 2-0 victory over Sunderland on 10 October 2026.
Manager Enzo Maresca rotated heavily for the fixture, leaving Erling Haaland, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Rúben Dias off the teamsheet. Maresca granted those five players a three-day holiday following the team’s match against Aston Villa. With Gerónimo Rulli starting in goal, City’s experimental lineup faced a Brighton side that arrived sitting third in the Premier League table.
Yalcouyé and Rutter Target City Defense
Brighton opened the scoring midway through the first half when Jack Hinshelwood occupied two defenders before playing in Georgino Rutter. Rutter drove the ball hard across the face of goal, where Malick Yalcouyé scrambled it over the line. VoetbalPrimeur noted that Yalcouyé appeared to be in an offside position, but the goal stood due to the absence of VAR in the competition.
Manchester City responded before the break. Phil Foden turned inside and laid the ball off to Mateo Kovacic, whose low strike from the edge of the penalty area found the net via the inside of the post. Just minutes into the second half, Brighton reclaimed the lead. Jaouen Hadjam delivered a cross that Rutter met to finish a flowing team move, putting the visitors up 2-1.
Cherki Draws Level Before Rulli Secures Shootout Win
City found an equalizer after Maresca introduced Jérémy Doku, whose pace immediately troubled the Brighton defense. A low free-kick from Rayan Cherki struck teammate Vitor Reis and deflected past the goalkeeper to make it 2-2. Brighton nearly snatched a winner late in regulation when Mats Wieffer hit the post from a Maxim De Cuyper corner kick.
The match went straight to penalties after regulation time. Both teams converted their first six attempts before Kovacic missed for City. Jason Steele appeared poised to win the tie for Brighton, but Yasin Ayari immediately missed his spot-kick. After Cherki scored, former Ajax goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli saved a penalty from Lewis Dunk to send Manchester City through to the quarterfinals.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Match
Who missed the decisive penalty for Brighton?
Lewis Dunk missed the final penalty of the shootout, which was saved by goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli to secure Manchester City’s place in the quarterfinals.
Why was there no VAR during the fixture?
Video Assistant Referee technology is not utilized in this round of the EFL Cup, allowing Malick Yalcouyé’s opening goal to stand despite appearing offside.
When do Manchester City and Brighton play next?
Both clubs face each other again in the Premier League on the upcoming Saturday following this midweek cup tie.