Manchester City secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a controlled 2-0 victory over Brentford at a rain-soaked Etihad Stadium. Rayan Cherki's stunning first-half strike and a deflected Savinho effort sent Pep Guardiola's side into the last four for the first time since they lifted the trophy in 2021.
Cherki delivers a moment of magic
On a night where quality was at a premium, it took something special to break the deadlock. And Cherki provided exactly that in the 32nd minute.
When Divine Mukasa's corner was headed clear by Kevin Schade, the ball dropped to the Frenchman on the edge of the area. What followed was pure instinct: a deft touch to control, a subtle sidestep past Mikkel Damsgaard, and then an unstoppable 20-yard strike that arrowed into the top corner past the helpless Hakon Valdimarsson.
The celebration told its own story. Cherki borrowed not one but two of Erling Haaland's trademark poses – the robot and the zen meditation – drawing a nod of approval from the Norwegian watching on the bench. It was the £30 million summer signing's fourth City goal and his best yet.
Khusanov escapes: the controversy that could have changed everything
Before Cherki's brilliance, however, Brentford had a legitimate grievance. Abdukodir Khusanov was fortunate to remain on the pitch after bringing down Schade as the German sprinted through on goal. The Uzbekistan defender received only a yellow card – with no VAR to intervene in Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
It was a pivotal moment. Had Khusanov seen red, the entire complexion of the tie would have shifted. Instead, Brentford's sense of injustice seemed to deflate rather than galvanise them, and City took full advantage.
Academy graduates shine in rotated XI
Guardiola made seven changes from Sunday's 3-0 demolition of Crystal Palace, and the reshuffle had a distinctly homegrown flavour. Seven players in the matchday squad had progressed through City's academy system: Mukasa continued his record of starting every League Cup tie this season, while James Trafford, Rico Lewis, Oscar Bobb, and Nico O'Reilly all featured.
The night's one concern came early when Bobb was forced off with what appeared to be a muscular problem after just 19 minutes. Phil Foden replaced him and immediately added a different dimension, eventually playing a key role in the second goal.
Brentford's second-half surge falls short
Keith Andrews' side emerged transformed after the interval. Kristoffer Ajer strode forward to test Trafford with a powerful 25-yard drive, while Michael Kayode probed down the right flank with increasing menace.
For 20 minutes, Brentford were the better side. Valdimarsson denied Foden brilliantly, but City looked vulnerable to the counter-press that the Bees deployed with growing intensity.
Guardiola responded decisively, introducing Bernardo Silva, Josko Gvardiol and Matheus Nunes on the hour mark. The message was clear: this tie would not slip away.
Savinho seals it on the break
The game's second goal arrived in the 67th minute and it killed Brentford's momentum completely. City broke at lightning pace from a Bees free-kick, with Tijjani Reijnders releasing Savinho down the left channel.
The Brazilian drove inside and unleashed a shot that deflected off Ajer's outstretched leg, looping cruelly over Valdimarsson and into the net. There was fortune in the finish, but the transition that created it was pure City – clinical, ruthless, and decisive.
A statement of intent from Guardiola's squad depth
With Haaland, Rodri, and John Stones absent, City demonstrated the squad depth that has made them serial winners. Cherki is emerging as a genuine option, not merely a rotation piece. Mukasa continues to impress. Reijnders controlled the midfield tempo with quiet authority.
For Guardiola, this represents a return to familiar territory. City hadn't reached the League Cup semi-finals since 2021 – a drought by their recent standards. Now they wait to discover their last-four opponents, joining Chelsea in the draw.
Brentford, meanwhile, exit with heads held reasonably high. Andrews' side competed fiercely after the break and exposed vulnerabilities that better teams will note. But against City in this form, competing isn't always enough.
The bigger picture
City have now won six consecutive matches across all competitions. The Premier League title race remains alive, the Champions League knockout stages beckon, and now a ninth League Cup crown sits within touching distance.
Guardiola's machine rolls on.
Manchester City (4-3-3): Trafford; Lewis, Khusanov, Aké (C), O'Reilly (Gvardiol 66); Nico (Nunes 66), Reijnders; Bobb (Foden 19, Gray 82), Cherki (Bernardo 66), Savinho; Mukasa.
Brentford (4-2-3-1): Valdimarsson; Henry (Lewis-Potter 76), Van den Berg, Ajer, Collins (C); Kayode (Hickey 75), Jensen (Donovan 81); Yarmoliuk (Konak 88), Damsgaard, Janelt; Schade (Nunes 88).
Goals: Cherki 32', Savinho 67'
