Liverpool's Alexander Isak. Photo: Justin Setterfield / Getty Images
Manchester City and Liverpool avoided the fate that befell Arsenal by winning penalty shootouts to advance to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
City stayed on course to retain the title by twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Brighton and Hove Albion at home on Thursday (AEDT), then triumph 4-3 in the shootout.
Backup goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved Brighton’s last two spot kicks — from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk — to rescue City, who had fallen behind in the shootout when Mateo Kovacic had the team’s fourth penalty saved.
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City will now play Bradford City for a place in the semi-finals.
In a match that finished a half-hour later, Liverpool beat Chelsea 6-5 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw in which both goals also come from the penalty spot.
Wesley Fofana missed what proved to be the final kick of the shootout, smashing it well over the crossbar and into The Kop at Anfield as Liverpool fans roared in delight.
Liverpool take on Bournemouth next up.
Arsenal weren’t so lucky in a shootout on Tuesday, losing in stunning fashion to fourth-tier minnow Fleetwood Town in one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s 66-year history.
In other all-Premier League last-16 matchups on Thursday AEDT, Bournemouth beat Aston Villa 3-0, Crystal Palace won 1-0 at Fulham, and Sunderland overcame Brentford 3-2.
Palace and Sutherland will go head-to-head in the quarter-finals.
Third-tier Bradford City, the beaten finalist in 2013, joined Fleetwood in advancing to the last eight on Tuesday.
On Friday AEDT, Everton host Newcastle United to wrap up the last 16.