ALL GOALS: Manchester City vs Brighton | EFL Cup
The Cityzens avoided defeat at home by fighting back to draw level before winning the penalty shootout against the team that knocked out Manchester United. The defending champions are still in the hunt for the EFL Cup title.
Manchester City battled past Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026-27 EFL Cup. Argentine goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli proved decisive in the penalty shootout, making two saves despite Mateo Kovačić's miss to keep the defending champions' hopes alive.
BRIGHTON STRUCK FIRST, BUT MAN CITY FOUGHT BACK
Brighton opened the scoring in the 30th minute, when Malick Yalcouyé capitalized on an attacking move to put the Seagulls ahead.
Before half-time, in the 41st minute, Mateo Kovačić equalized with a powerful strike from outside the box.
Just two minutes into the second half, in the 47th minute, Georginio Rutter restored Brighton's lead by converting a pass from Jaouen Hadjam.
However, in the 70th minute, Vitor Reis deflected a free kick taken by Rayan Cherki into the net to make it 2-2. Mats Wieffer came close to scoring a late winner in stoppage time, but his effort struck the post.
RULLI THE HERO IN THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT
Kovačić missed his penalty for Manchester City, but Rulli saved attempts from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to seal City's place in the next round. Brighton had reached this stage after eliminating Manchester United.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: MANCHESTER CITY ADVANCE IN THE EFL CUP
- PENALTY-SHOOTOUT VICTORY: Manchester City eliminated Brighton after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
- RULLI THE HERO: The Argentine goalkeeper saved penalties from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to secure qualification.
- BRIGHTON KNOCKED OUT MAN UNITED: The Seagulls had eliminated Manchester United in the previous round but fell to the defending champions.
