Rulli’s heroics earn Manchester City shootout success against Brighton

After Jérémy Doku’s second-half substitute appearance transformed Manchester City into a high-octane proposition, the smart money was on the momentum continuing into a victorious penalty shootout.

So it proved as Enzo Maresca’s men triumphed 4-3, Gerónimo Rulli the hero: his save from Lewis Dunk’s fifth spot-kick was decisive, the Argentinean also having repelled Yasin Ayari’s fourth effort.

While Jason Steele kept out Mateo Kovacic’s attempt, City progressed after Brighton twice took the lead – via Malick Yalcouyé and Georginio Rutter – before being pegged back by Kovacic and Vitor Reis.

Maresca was left beaming: “Since I’m here we never practised penalties,” said the City manager. “It always happens that the one that scored in the 90 minutes [Kovacic] misses the penalty. I am very happy.”