Phil Foden celebrates Manchester City's Carabao Cup win over Brighton
Phil Foden celebrates Manchester City's Carabao Cup win over Brighton
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Geronimo Rulli saved two spot-kicks as Manchester City knocked Brighton out of the Carabao Cup on penalties. Days after Gianluigi Donnarumma had seen Nicolas Jackson's shot squirm under him at Villa Park for their first Premier League defeat of the season, Rulli stepped up and spread himself to send the Blues through to the next round.
Donnarumma was one of five players that Enzo Maresca had given a holiday to after the Villa game, choosing to prioritise their workload over the Carabao Cup. Seeing Arsenal beached at Fleetwood may have had him sweating and Brighton came close to winning the game in normal time and the shootout, yet ultimately the City manager's gamble paid off and they can now look forward to Saturday's league game against the same opposition.
It was a first half that reflected the number of changes made from the Premier League at the weekend - nine for City, seven for Brighton. Both teams were sloppy in possession and lacking the punch that has brought them such strong starts to the season.