By Karim Hammam
Manchester City progressed to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Brighton at the Etihad Stadium, following a 2-2 draw. Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved two spot-kicks to send the holders through.
City edge Brighton in shootout
City twice came from behind in a match featuring heavily rotated line-ups. Brighton took the lead through Malick Yalcouye after 30 minutes, but Mateo Kovacic equalised before half-time. Georginio Rutter restored the visitors' advantage and hit the bar, yet Vitor Reis diverted a Rayan Cherki free-kick into the net to force penalties. In the shootout, Rulli denied Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk, while Kovacic missed for City.
Bournemouth thrash Villa to reach last eight
Bournemouth reached the quarter-finals for the first time in eight seasons with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium. Amine Adli opened the scoring in the seventh minute, Lewis Cook added a fortuitous second early in the second half, and Alvaro Rodriguez sealed a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions. Villa, five-time League Cup winners, suffered their first defeat in eight games.
Palace ease past Fulham to relieve pressure on Sage
Crystal Palace secured a 1-0 win at Craven Cottage, easing pressure on manager Pierre Sage. Eddie Nketiah's first-half goal proved decisive despite Fulham dominating most aspects of the game. The victory moves Palace into the quarter-finals while questions remain over Sage's future.
Sunderland survive Brentford scare
Sunderland beat Brentford 3-2 at the Stadium of Light after three goals in 10 first-half minutes from Chemsdine Talbi, Timur Tutierov and Malick Fofana. Callum Wilson and Igor Thiago pulled goals back for Brentford, but the Black Cats held on to reach the last eight.
