WATCH: Rayan Cherki hits rocket to put Man City ahead in Carabao Cup quarter-finals
Cherki scored his fourth goal since joining Man City
Rayan Cherki’s stunning strike handed Manchester City the advantage against Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Little had occured in the first half during a rainy night in a game between two much-changed sides but it was one of City’s more regular starters who lighted up the Etihad with a sumptuous goal in the 32nd minute.
After a corner was headed away by Kevin Schade, the France international took a touch on the edge of the box, before shifting on to his right and unleashing a wonderful strike into the top corner with his right foot.
The 20-yard strike left goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson with no chance and was a rare moment of quality in an otherwise quiet half.
It continues a rich vein of form for the summer signing from Lyon, who has provided six assists in his last seven games for the Citizens.
The 22-year-old is beginning to become a regular under Pep Guardiola, with his quality – shown by his brilliant opener – coming to the fore more and more this season.
Brentford will feel hard-done-by heading into the half-time break with the number of City players still on the pitch after Abdukodir Khusanov escaped a red card for bringing down Schade when he was through on goal earlier on in the game.
The defender, handed a rare start, was fortune to escape a red card after appearing to deny the German a goalscoring opportunity.
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Manchester City team news
Manchester City starting XI: Trafford, Lewis, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly, Nico, Reijnders, Bobb, Cherki, Savinho, Mukasa
Manchester City substitutes: Donnarumma, Dias, Haaland, Silva, Gvardiol, Nunes, Foden, Gray, Mfuni
Man City have made seven changes to the site that beat Crystal Palace at the weekend, with academy starlet Divine Mukasa replacing Erling Haaland up front.
James Trafford starts in goal, with Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb and Savinho also selected in Pep Guardiola’s XI.
Haaland, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden are all named on the bench.
Brentford team news
Brentford starting XI: Valdimarsson, Henry, Van den Berg, Ajer, Collins, Kayode, Jensen, Yatmoliuk, Damsgaard, Janelt, Schade
Brentford substitutes: Kelleher, Hickey, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Peart-Harris, Konak, Donovan, Arthur, Nunes
Brentford have also rung the changes with six coming into Andrews’ side, with Hakon Valdimarsson starting in goal in place of Caoimhin Kelleher.
Rico Henry, Kirstoffer Ajer, Mikkel Damsgaard, Yehor Yarmolyuk and Kevin Schade are all handed starts.
How to watch Man City v Brentford: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 19:30 GMT (14:30 ET / 11:30 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.
Streaming is available on a vast variety of devices via the Sky GO app.
Man City v Brentford EFL Cup stats
- Manchester City have won six of their last seven EFL Cup quarter-final matches
- City have won five consecutive games in all competitions
- Nine of City’s last 10 home matches have ended in victory
- Brentford have reached the EFL Cup quarter-finals for the fourth time in six seasons
- Brentford have lost four consecutive away matches in all competitions
- Brentford have conceded at least two goals in each of those four away defeats
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last five matches against Brentford
- Brentford have reached the EFL Cup semi-finals only once in their history