Rulli’s heroics earn Manchester City shootout success against Brighton

The goalkeeper saved spot-kicks from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk in Manchester City’s 4-3 shootout win after the Carabao Cup match finished 2-2 After Jérémy Doku’s second-half substitute appearance transformed Manchester City into a high-octane proposition, the smart money was on the momentum continuing and the penalty shootout going their way. So it was as Enzo Maresca’s side triumphed 4-3, Gerónimo Rulli’s save from Lewis Dunk’s fifth spot-kick proving decisive, the Argentinean also having repelled Yasin Ayari’s fourth penalty. While Jason Steele had kept out Mateo Kovacic’s penalty, City progressed after Brighton twice took the lead – via Malick Yalcouyé and Georginio Rutter before being pegged back by Kovacic and Vitor Reis.

This first of a City-Brighton double-header (part two is Saturday’s league fixture at the same venue) featured opponents coming off rare losses. City’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa was a first in the Premier League and was matched by Brighton’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool, only their second in the competition. Maresca called Fabian Hürzeler’s team “fantastic” and he was correct: they are third, only five behind the hosts and league leaders, City, and, as is their way, operated a gameplan of intense press