Cherki Stuns Etihad as Man City Beat Brentford 2-0 to Reach Carabao Cup Semis

Rayan Cherki’s sublime strike and a second-half deflected effort from Savinho gave Manchester City a 2-0 win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Etihad Stadium, sending City into the semi-finals.

Cherki opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a curled effort into the top corner after collecting a headed clearance and switching the ball onto his right foot, a goal that drew rave reactions from the Etihad crowd and prompted teammate Erling Haaland-style celebrations from the young playmaker on his first season with City[1].

City’s second arrived in the 67th minute when Savinho’s shot took a heavy deflection that looped over Brentford goalkeeper Hákon Valdimarsson and into the net, sealing the victory and ending Brentford’s Carabao Cup run[1][2].

Pep Guardiola named a heavily-changed City side for the quarter-final, with Erling Haaland named among the substitutes but not used; Haaland was later seen acknowledging Cherki as he was substituted in the second half[1].

Brentford were unable to find a way through a rotated City lineup despite periods of pressure, and the London club exit the competition at the quarter-final stage[2].

The result means Manchester City join Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, with City progressing after a well-executed performance that combined moments of individual brilliance and effective squad rotation[1].

Match highlights and extended clips of the goals are available through broadcasters and club media outlets, which show Cherki’s goal and Savinho’s deflected finish among the key moments of the evening[3][4].

Key facts from the game: Cherki scored in the 32nd minute; Savinho scored in the 67th minute (deflected); final score Manchester City 2, Brentford 0; the match was a Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Etihad Stadium[1][2][3].

Managers’ post-match comments and detailed tactical analysis are available via official club channels and match reports for readers seeking deeper breakdowns of team selection, substitutions and expected-goal (xG) data[1][3].

For fans tracking both teams’ schedules, Manchester City now prepare for a Carabao Cup semi-final while Brentford turn focus back to their Premier League fixtures following the midweek cup exit[1][2].