With a 2-0 victory over Brentford on Wednesday, Manchester City advanced to the League Cup semi-finals thanks to Rayan Cherki’s stunning strike.
With their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions, Pep Guardiola could afford to give Erling Haaland the night off ahead of the hectic Premier League schedule.
Guardiola made seven changes to the Etihad, leaving Haaland out of the lineup.
Abdukodir Khusanov, a rare start, was fortunate to only receive a yellow card for deflecting German-attacking Kevin Schade.
As the England international replaced the ailing Oscar Bobb after just 20 minutes, Guardiola was forced to substitute the in-form Phil Foden.
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Ten minutes before half-time, Cherki was the one to styleably unlock the Brentford rearguard action.
The Frenchman gathered a corner that was cut inside the box, cut inside, and slammed into the top corner with an unstoppable effort.
The home side’s second came much more favorably, 20 minutes apart, when Savinho’s shot deflected off Kristoffer Ajer to encircle Hakon Valdimarsson.
Between 2018 and 2021, City won the League Cup four years in a row under Guardiola.
However, this is their first time making it to the top four in five seasons.
With a 3-1 victory over Cardiff on Tuesday, Chelsea advanced to the semi-finals early in the year.
Later on Wednesday, Arsenal host Crystal Palace in their final quarter-final match against them, while Fulham or Newcastle will play them.
Source: Channels TV
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