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Man City 2-0 Brentford: A superb Cherki finish and deflected Savinho effort gave City a win in the League Cup quarter-finals
Chris Wilson Wednesday 17 December 2025 23:00 GMT- Bookmark
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Cherki scored a superb opener to set up City's quarter-final win (AP)
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Goals from Rayan Cherki and Savinho helped Manchester City book a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a straightforward win over Brentford at the Etihad tonight.
Pep Guardiola made seven changes for the quarter-final but City still dominated the ball from early on, though they did struggle to create as much without Erling Haaland and co. on the pitch.
However, Brentford offered little threat for much of the game and while Abdukodir Khusanov was lucky to escape a red card for a last-man challenge on Kevin Schade, City soon had the goal they deserved as Cherki picked up the ball and curled in a sublime effort from the edge of the box.
It felt difficult for Brentford to come back from a goal down at half-time, and though the Bees came out fighting in the second half, they were dealt a hammer blow when a deflected Savinho effort looped over Valdimarsson to seal the result and take City one step closer to yet another League Cup final.
Follow all the latest updates from the Etihad below:
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- Manchester City beat Brentford in Carabao Cup to book place in semi-finals
- 68' GOAL! Deflected Savinho effort doubles lead [MCI 2-0 BRE]
- 32' GOAL! Cherki curls in from range to open scoring [MCI 1-0 BRE]
- 16' YELLOW! Khusanov lucky to avoid red for last-man challenge [MCI 0-0 BRE]
Why was Abdukodir Khusanov not sent off for Man City against Brentford?
Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov was lucky not to receive a red card early into his side’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Brentford on Wednesday night.
On 16 minutes, he came rushing across and wiped out forward Kevin Schade when the German was clean through, but the referee only chose to brandish a yellow.
Why was Abdukodir Khusanov not sent off for Man City against Brentford?
Khusanov took out Kevin Schade as the last man in the 16th minute of the Carabao Cup quarter-final at the EtihadRead moreChris Wilson17 December 2025 22:00PinnedRayan Cherki shines as Man City beat Brentford to reach Carabao Cup semi-finals
Rayan Cherki’s superb first-half strike helped Manchester City reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win over Brentford.
Cherki produced a rare moment of quality in the game when he arrowed a shot into the top corner in the 32nd minute, and a deflected Savinho strike killed off the contest midway through the second half as City reached the last four for the first time since they last won this competition in 2021.
It was Cherki’s fourth goal in a City shirt. The 22-year-old Frenchman had an injury-disrupted start to life at the club after his £30million summer move from Lyon but is starting to blossom now and was the best player on the pitch until his withdrawal in the 66th minute.
Rayan Cherki shines as Man City beat Brentford to reach Carabao Cup semi-finals
A deflected Savinho strike killed off the contest midway through the second half.Read moreChris Wilson17 December 2025 21:50Next up
City’s next game comes against West Ham this weekend, with that one taking place at the Etihad on Saturday, 20 December at 3pm.
Brentford face bottom-of-the-table Wolves next, with the Bees travelling north at the same time on Saturday, 20 December.
Chris Wilson17 December 2025 23:00City draw Newcastle in semis
City will face Newcastle United in the two-legged semi-final tie!
The Magpies will be home in the first leg and away in the second.
First-leg ties will be played in the week commencing 12 January.
Second-leg matches will take place in the week commencing 2 February.
Chris Wilson17 December 2025 22:54Semi-final draw up soon
The draw for the semi-final of the Carabao Cup had been pushed back to 10.45pm, so City should find out their opponents soon.
You can follow our dedicated blog here.
Chris Wilson17 December 2025 22:45Manchester City dealt gutting injury blow as starlet winger forced off in Carabao Cup
Pep Guardiola has been dealt a potential injury blow after Manchester City’s starlet winger Oscar Bobb was forced off inside 20 minutes of their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie with Brentford.
Bobb, 22, has had tough luck with injuries after fracturing his leg early into the 2024/25 season, having enjoyed a breakout year at the Etihad the campaign before.
Manchester City dealt gutting injury blow as starlet winger forced off in Carabao Cup
Oscar Bobb missed much of last season with a fractured leg and has been dealt another injury setbackChris Wilson17 December 2025 22:35Andrews: 'The officials have made a mistake'
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews believes City defender Abdukodir Khusanov should have been sent off for his tackle in the 16th minute.
He told Sky: "I think it's a red. I think the officials have made a mistake. I'm very quick to support the officials because they have a very difficult job.
"The explanation we were given was the referee's assistant gave it on the far side that they felt the touch was too big or going away from goal.
"I don't see that at all, I didn't see it at the time, I haven't seen it when I've watched the replays back. He's going straight through on goal. It's a crazy tackle, he takes him out. I don't see it any other way than being a red card,” he added.
Chris Wilson17 December 2025 22:25Guardiola reacts
Pep Gurdiola says he is “happy” to be in the semis, adding that “Brentford is always tough”.
“Especially in the first half,, but I’m really happy for the game and to be in the semi.”
On Cherki, he adds: “What a goal, and after that, he didn’t play much well, but before and with the goal he was fantastic.
“Even a blind guy can realise it was a special goal, you don’t have to be a manager.
“Foden scored a few of them, just to say, we’re lucky to have these types of players,” he adds.
Chris Wilson17 December 2025 22:10When is the semi-final draw?
The draw for the semi-final will follow the conclusion of Newcastle’s match with Fulham, which is currently around 70 minutes in.
You can follow the draw for the semis in our dedicated live blog here.
Chris Wilson17 December 2025 21:42'Comfortable for City'
Here’s the full-time reaction from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“Comfortable for City, excellent from Cherki. They got the job done and, unlike against Bayer Leverkusen, Guardiola managed to rest some players and still win.”
Richard Jolly at the Etihad17 December 2025 21:37Newer1 / 8OlderMore about
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