Manchester City are in the hat for the final four of the Carabao Cup for the first time since 2020/21, thanks to Rayan Cherki’s first-half stunner and Savinho’s fortuitous 68th-minute strike.
Brentford, who will feel hard done by after Abdulkodir Khusanov avoided a sending-off for a last-man challenge on Kevin Schade just 19 minutes in, were competitive for large stretches. But the Bees ultimately lacked any real cutting edge in the final third.
Cherki deserved his goal as he was a livewire for the hosts throughout. It was a beauty as the France international composed himself nicely to elude Mikkel Damsgaard’s challenge before unleashing a rocket into the top right-hand corner.
Savinho’s goal, which came against the run of play midway through the second period, wasn’t as glamorous. The Brazilian winger did well to skip away from two Brentford challenges but was fortunate to see his driven strike take a wicked deflection off Kristoffer Ajer and over goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson.
Pep Guardiola, who benched Erling Haaland ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with West Ham United, brought on 19-year-old midfielder Charlie Gray for a first-team debut late on to round off a positive evening.
City, now on a six-match winning streak, will be eager to carry on the momentum as they host West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.
