Manchester City’s back-up goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved two spot-kicks as the holders beat Brighton 4-3 on penalties to edge into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The Argentinian denied Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk as City prevailed at the Etihad Stadium after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 in a compelling tie between two much-changed sides.

Brighton had taken the lead through Malick Yalcouye after 30 minutes but Mateo Kovacic – who later missed a penalty in the shootout – levelled for City before the break.

The impressive Georginio Rutter put the visitors back in front and then hit the bar but City took the contest to penalties after Vitor Reis diverted in a Rayan Cherki free-kick.

Enzo Maresca had made nine changes to the City side beaten at Aston Villa, with Erling Haaland, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Josko Gvardiol not involved at all after being given brief holidays.

Brighton also made seven changes for the first of two visits to the Etihad in four days, and the early stages lacked intensity.

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Bournemouth continued their impressive run of results by thumping Aston Villa 3-0 to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the first time in eight seasons.

Winger Amine Adli fired home in the seventh minute at the Vitality Stadium to set Marco Rose’s in-form side on course for a fifth consecutive win in all competitions.

Cherries captain Lewis Cook added a fortuitous second early in the second period before striker Alvaro Rodriguez sealed another 3-0 success following similar wins over AC Milan and Manchester United.

Villa – five-time League Cup winners – were second best for most of a fruitless trip to the south coast as they suffered a first defeat in eight games.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis and substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Alysson had the visitors’ best chances in Dorset but Bournemouth registered a fifth clean sheet in a row to ease into the last eight.

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Crystal Palace eased the pressure on manager Pierre Sage as Eddie Nketiah’s first-half goal saw them to a 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Sage’s team will play in the Carabao Cup quarter-final but Fulham will wonder how after they dominated virtually every aspect of the game against a team lacking in confidence and low on ideas.

Despite the win, there was little to convince travelling fans that a corner has been turned in their team’s torrid start to the season.

When Palace won 3-2 on this ground on 5 September, Alvaro Arbeloa appeared to be the new manager whose future looked uncertain.

Two wins in the last two games have relieved the pressure and hauled Fulham up the Premier League table, and Sage, whose Palace team have sunk to 17th, now looks to be the manager in peril. It remains to be seen whether he will be in charge to lead his team in the next round.

Supporters in the away and sang their under-fire boss’ name late in the fist half with their team a goal up, but this was another performance to draw concern for the club’s direction since the Frenchman was appointed.

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Three goals in 10 first-half minutes helped Sunderland into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

The Black Cats beat Brentford 3-2 at the Stadium of Light, with Chemsdine Talbi, Timur Tutierov and Malick Fofana on target – and right-winger Jocelin Ta Bi having a hand in all three goals for Regis Le Bris’ much-changed team.

Callum Wilson pulled one back within three minutes, tapping in off the bar from four yards out, after Vitaly Janelt’s scuffed shot had fallen to him.

Igor Thiago set up a thrilling finish when goalkeeper Melker Ellborg failed to deal with his header in the fourth minute of five added on at the end of the contest.

However, the Black Cats held on.

PA