LIVE BLOG: Manchester City vs Brighton | EFL Cup
LIVE BLOG: Manchester City vs Brighton | EFL Cup
🔵 Rayan Cherki levels the score! The Frenchman takes a free kick from close range, catching Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele and the defensive wall off guard. The ball appears to take a deflection on its way in, but Cherki gets the equalizer for Manchester City as the match heads toward a potential penalty shootout.
⏱️ Score: 2nd Half | Manchester City 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
47' | ⚽ GOOOOAL FOR BRIGHTON!
🐦 Georginio Rutter puts the Seagulls back in front after helping build the move alongside Malick Yalcouyé and Jack Hinshelwood. Hinshelwood delivers a cross from the left, and the French forward finishes from close range to beat Gerónimo Rulli and give Brighton the lead.
⏱️ Score: 2nd Half | Manchester City 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
⏱️ THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY!
🔵 The second half gets underway as both teams look for a winner and hope to avoid a penalty shootout. Enzo Maresca makes two substitutions, bringing on Rayan Aït-Nouri and Ryan McAidoo for booked midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and forward Floyd Samba.
⏱️ Score: 2nd Half | Manchester City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
⏱️ HALF-TIME AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM!
🔵 Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion head into the break level at 1-1 after an intense first half in the EFL Cup. Malick Yalcouyé gave the Seagulls the lead before Mateo Kovačić fired home City's equalizer in the 39th minute.
⚠️ The equalizer came amid controversy over a possible handball by Floyd Samba in the build-up, but the goal was allowed to stand.
⏱️ Half-time Score: Manchester City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
45+2' | ⏱️ MAN CITY LOOKING TO REACH HALF-TIME
🔵 Manchester City move the ball around but struggle to create any attacking threat. Both teams appear content to maintain the deadlock before heading into the dressing rooms.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
45' | ⏱️ THREE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!
⌚ The referee adds three minutes of stoppage time at the Etihad Stadium. The first half will continue until the 48th minute.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
43' | 😱 GUÉHI FAILS TO GET HIS HEADER ON TARGET!
🔵 Ayyoub Bouaddi delivers an accurate cross for Marc Guéhi, who connects with a header but sends the ball well wide. Jason Steele prepares to restart play with a goal kick.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
42' | ⚠️ CONTROVERSY BEFORE MAN CITY'S EQUALIZER!
👀 In the build-up to Mateo Kovačić's goal, Floyd Samba appears to handle the ball inside Brighton's penalty area. The referee allows play to continue, and Manchester City's equalizer stands.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
39' | ⚽ GOOOOAL FOR MANCHESTER CITY!
🔵 Mateo Kovačić restores parity! The Croatian midfielder receives the ball after combining with Phil Foden and fires a well-placed shot from outside the box. The ball finds the net just inside Jason Steele's right post.
🔥 The Cityzens respond and level the score late in the first half.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
37' | 🤕 COSTINHA GOES DOWN AFTER A COLLISION!
🐦 Costinha remains on the ground after being struck by Allan. The Brighton player calls for a yellow card for his opponent, but play continues without a booking.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
35' | 🔵 MAN CITY LOOK TO REGAIN CONTROL
⚔️ Enzo Maresca's side try to take control of the physical battles, while Ayyoub Bouaddi stands out in midfield. Brighton remain well organized and limit Rayan Cherki's influence in the attacking build-up.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
34' | 🎯 AYARI TRIES HIS LUCK WITH A VOLLEY!
🐦 Yasin Ayari collects the ball near the edge of the box and unleashes a volley that sails over the crossbar. Brighton look to extend their lead before half-time.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
33' | 🧤 RULLI CLAIMS THE BALL!
🐦 Pascal Groß attempts to create danger with a delivery from a wide free kick, but goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli gathers the ball comfortably and keeps Manchester City out of trouble.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
32' | 🟨 YELLOW CARD FOR BOUADDI!
⚠️ Ayyoub Bouaddi is shown a yellow card after handling the ball during a challenge. The Manchester City midfielder is cautioned by the referee.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
30' | ⚽ GOAL! BRIGHTON TAKE THE LEAD!
🐦 Malick Yalcouyé puts the Seagulls ahead! Brighton strike first at the Etihad Stadium, putting Manchester City under pressure in this EFL Cup tie.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
25' | 🧤 RULLI DENIES BRIGHTON!
🐦 Georginio Rutter fires a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but Gerónimo Rulli comes up with a save to keep the score level.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
24' | 🧤 RULLI SAVES DIEGO GÓMEZ'S SHOT
🐦 Diego Gómez tries his luck with a right-footed effort from outside the box, but Manchester City goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli gathers the ball.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
20' | 🛡️ FOUL ON RICO LEWIS
🔵 Malick Yalcouyé commits a foul on Rico Lewis, earning Manchester City a free kick in their own half.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
19' | ⚠️ RUTTER TESTS RULLI
🐦 Georginio Rutter unleashes a right-footed shot from outside the box following an assist from Jaouen Hadjam, but Gerónimo Rulli makes the save.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
18' | 🚩 CORNER FOR BRIGHTON
🐦 The Seagulls win a corner after Allan deflects the ball. The visitors look to capitalize on the set piece and break the deadlock.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
17' | ⚠️ FOUL BY ALLAN
🔵 Allan fouls Georginio Rutter, giving Brighton a free kick on the right flank.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
11' | 🚩 CORNER FOR MANCHESTER CITY
🔵 Manchester City win a corner after Malick Yalcouyé deflects the ball. The hosts look to create a scoring opportunity from the set piece.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
11' | 🧱 CHERKI'S SHOT IS BLOCKED
🔵 Rayan Cherki attempts a right-footed shot from outside the box, but Brighton's defense blocks the effort.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
10' | 🟨 YELLOW CARD FOR MICHAEL SVOBODA
🐦 Michael Svoboda receives the first yellow card of the match for a foul on Rayan Cherki, giving Manchester City a free kick in the opposition's half.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
8' | ⚠️ FOUL BY HINSHELWOOD
🐦 Jack Hinshelwood commits a foul on Vitor Reis, allowing Manchester City to take a free kick in their own half.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
7' | 🚩 MANCHESTER CITY CAUGHT OFFSIDE
🔵 Floyd Samba is flagged for offside, bringing the Cityzens' attacking move to an end.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
6' | 🧤 CHERKI TRIES HIS LUCK FROM DISTANCE
🔵 Rayan Cherki attempts to break the deadlock with a long-range left-footed shot, but Jason Steele makes the save.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
2' | ⚠️ FOUL BY COSTINHA
🐦 Costinha commits a foul on Allan, giving Manchester City a free kick in their own half.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
2' | ⚠️ HINSHELWOOD COMMITS ANOTHER FOUL
🐦 Jack Hinshelwood commits another foul on Allan. Manchester City are awarded another free kick in their own half.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
1' | 🚩 BRIGHTON CAUGHT OFFSIDE
🐦 Pascal Groß is flagged for offside in the opening moments of the match. Manchester City regain possession and prepare to restart play.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
KICKOFF!
🔵 The Cityzens look to make home advantage 🏟️ count and defend their title 🏆 against the Seagulls 🐦, who arrive full of confidence after knocking out their neighbors, Manchester United 🔴.
⏱️ Score: 1st Half | Manchester City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽
Welcome to the Manchester City vs. Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE BLOG for the EFL Cup fourth round!
LINEUPS ARE IN
MATCH PREVIEW
Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion face off this Wednesday, October 28, in the 2026-27 EFL Cup fourth round, in a matchup that promises plenty of excitement at the Etihad Stadium. The defending champions will look to advance, while the Seagulls aim to prove they can upset one of England’s top sides.
MANCHESTER CITY LOOK TO DEFEND THEIR CROWN
Led by Enzo Maresca, Manchester City enter the match after a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League, ending their perfect start of seven consecutive league wins. However, the Citizens showcased their attacking firepower in the previous round with a commanding 5-0 victory over Norwich City.
City won the 2025-26 EFL Cup after beating Arsenal 2-0 in the final and will now look to continue their success in the competition. With potential squad rotation on the cards, they must maintain their intensity to avoid an upset.
BRIGHTON TARGET ANOTHER STATEMENT WIN
Meanwhile, Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton will be looking to bounce back after a 2-0 loss to Liverpool. The visitors reached this stage after overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford.
The Seagulls will look to exploit any gaps in the home side’s defense and pull off another cup upset. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. UK time (3:30 p.m. ET), with a place in the next round at stake.
KEY STORYLINES: MANCHESTER CITY VS. BRIGHTON
- 🏆 CITY DEFEND THEIR CROWN: The Citizens aim to advance after winning the 2025-26 EFL Cup.
- ⚡ BRIGHTON EYE AN UPSET: The Seagulls reached this round with a comeback 3-2 win over Manchester United.
- 🎟️ A PLACE IN THE NEXT ROUND: Both teams are battling for a spot in the next stage of the 2026-27 EFL Cup.
