Manchester City's backup goalkeeper made the difference on Wednesday. Gerónimo Rulli saved two penalties as City beat Brighton 4-3 in a shootout after a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Rulli stopped kicks from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk. That sent the holders into the Carabao Cup quarterfinals.

It was not easy. Mateo Kovacic missed for City in the shootout, but Rulli bailed his team out.

Back and forth

Malick Yalcouyé gave Brighton the lead in the 30th minute. Kovacic leveled the score in the 40th.

Georginio Rutter put Brighton ahead again two minutes into the second half. He also hit the crossbar. City tied it in the 72nd minute when Vitor Reis turned in a Rayan Cherki free kick.

A rotated City side

City manager Enzo Maresca made nine changes after a loss at Aston Villa. Erling Haaland, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rúben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Joško Gvardiol were not involved.

Brighton made seven changes of their own. The two teams meet again at the Etihad this weekend in the Premier League. It is the first of two Brighton visits to Manchester in four days.

City are nine-time winners of this competition. They will host Bradford City in the quarterfinals the week of Dec. 14.