London - Manchester
City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was the Premier League leaders' hero as
they beat Championship table-toppers Wolves in a penalty shoot-out to
book their place in the quarter-finals of the English League Cup on
Tuesday.
Despite chances at both ends, the Etihad Stadium clash was still
scoreless after 30 minutes of extra time, sending the tie to spot-kicks.
Bravo, much criticised after some unconvincing displays last season
and making just his third appearance of this campaign, saved successive
penalties from Alfred N'Diaye and Conor Coady in a shoot-out where the
kicks were taken using the ABBA formula.
Sergio Aguero, just one goal away from becoming City's all-time
leading goalscorer, sealed a 4-1 shoot-out success with a cheeky Panenka
chipped penalty.
But as the Argentina striker's effort was scored in a shoot-out he
remains level with Eric Brook's City record of 177 goals for the
Manchester club that has stood since 1939.
"Last season was not easy for Bravo, but he is a goalkeeper of a high
level," said Pep Guardiola, the City manager. "He deserved that
performance."
Arsenal, who changed their entire side from the 11 that beat Everton
5-2 in the Premier League last weekend, were five minutes away from
losing to second-tier Norwich City at the Emirates.
But England Under-19 striker Eddie Nketiah equalised for the Gunners
just 15 seconds after coming off the bench to send the game into
extra-time at 1-1 with his first senior goal after Josh Murphy's chip
had given the visitors the lead.
And the 18-year-old Nketiah ensured Arsene Wenger's men would be in the quarter-final draw when he headed home the winner.
"I knew he had quality, but when the team need you and you deliver,
that's another quality you don't know about until you go on to the
pitch," said Wenger, who has been in charge of Arsenal since 1996
"I'm impressed to think that he was not even conceived when I was
already here!," the veteran French boss added.
"Hopefully he'll have a
long career at Arsenal."
Premier League basement club Crystal Palace were knocked out after
suffering a 4-1 loss away to Bristol City despite taking the lead at
Ashton Gate.
Bakary Sako put the Eagles ahead in the 21st minute. But second-tier
Bristol City hit back through goals from Matt Taylor, Milan Djuric, Joe
Bryan and Callum O'Dowda.
Managers at both ends of the Premier League table often regard the
League Cup as an inconvenience and Palace's latest loss was not so
surprising given Roy Hodgson, the former England boss, had made 10
changes to the London club's line-up.
"I took a risk - I take responsibility for that," Hodgson said.
"We've had a couple of tough Premier League games and played quite well
in both of them, in my opinion."
Elsewhere
Jesse Lingard scored twice as League Cup holders Manchester United saw
off Premier League rivals Swansea 2-0 in south Wales as Jose Mourinho's
men bounced back from a shock league defeat by Huddersfield.
This result gave Mourinho a win in his 400th game in English football
and he told Sky Sports: "Of course I still get the same thrill from it,
but 2004 was a long time ago."
"I am more mature and have a different way to react to things," the
Portuguese manager added. "I'm the same. I want to win and I hate
losing."
Bournemouth, fresh from just their second Premier League win of the
season last weekend, enjoyed a 3-1 victory at home to Middlesbrough
while Leicester City, without a manager since sacking Craig Shakespeare,
came from a goal down to beat Leeds United, like Boro a Championship
club, by the same scoreline.
Wednesday's ties see Chelsea face Everton in the Toffees' first match
since Ronald Koeman was sacked as their manager while high-flying
Tottenham Hotspur face West Ham in an all-London clash.
English League Cup results on Tuesday (aet denotes after extra time):
Fourth round
Arsenal 2 Norwich 1 aet
Bournemouth 3 Middlesbrough 1
Bristol City 4 Crystal Palace 1
Leicester 3 Leeds 1
Swansea 0 Manchester United 2
Manchester City 0 Wolves 0 aet
Manchester City win 4-1 on penalties
Playing on Wednesday (all times SA):
Chelsea v Everton (20:45)
Tottenham v West Ham (21:00)