AFCON 2025
Defending champions Manchester City are on course to defend their title after beating Brighton 4-3 on penalties at the Etihad on Wednesday night.
The match ended 2-2 after regular time, but Enzo Maresca’s men claimed victory via spot kicks to book their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Liverpool, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace also reached the last eight on a night of fourth-round Premier League clashes.
Brighton led twice. Malick Yalcouyé put the visitors ahead in the 30th minute, but Mateo Kovacic equalised before the break. Georginio Rutter restored Brighton’s lead less than two minutes into the second half, while Vitor Reis levelled again in the 72nd minute to force penalties.
Goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli became City’s hero in the shootout. He saved Brighton’s last two penalties, the final one from captain Lewis Dunk, who sent his effort low to Rulli’s left. Rayan Cherki had scored City’s fifth penalty to put the pressure on Dunk. The sides meet again at the Etihad in the Premier League on Saturday.
Liverpool also beat Chelsea on penalties at Anfield, winning the shootout 6-5 after a 1-1 draw. Both goals in regular time came from the spot. Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead in the 40th minute after Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moisés Caicedo, and Cody Gakpo equalised from the spot three minutes later.
Emmanuel Emegha missed the chance to seal it for Chelsea, at 5-5 after Ryan Gravenberch failed to convert his spot kick.
Joe Gomez capitalised, and Chelsea’s Fofana then skied his penalty into the Kop to hand Liverpool the win. Chelsea played without the suspended Cole Palmer and the injured João Pedro.
Bournemouth beat Aston Villa 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium. Amine Adli scored in the seventh minute, Lewis Cook added a second in the 51st, and Álvaro Rodríguez sealed it in the 69th. The Cherries have now won five games in a row in all competitions, and the result ended a seven-game unbeaten run for a much-changed Villa side.
Crystal Palace edged Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage. Eddie Nketiah scored the only goal in the first half, and the win ended Palace’s four-game winless run. It is a welcome result for head coach Pierre Sage, who has come under pressure.
