A night of high drama unfolded in the Carabao Cup fourth round as Premier League giants navigated tricky tests against determined opponents. The Emirates Stadium witnessed nerve-shredding tension while the Swansea.com Stadium saw clinical dominance.
Gunners Survive Penalty Rollercoaster
Arsenal's cup ambitions hung by a thread after a gruelling encounter with Brighton ended deadlocked after extra time. The Seagulls proved stubborn opponents, matching Mikel Arteta's side throughout a cagey 120 minutes that saw both teams create but fail to convert decisive chances.
The real drama unfolded from the penalty spot, where Arsenal's nerve finally held firm. After both teams exchanged successful spot-kicks in the initial rounds, the pressure mounted with each successive penalty. Ultimately, it was the Gunners who emerged victorious, their goalkeeper emerging as the hero in the shootout's crucial moments.
City's Merciless March Continues
Meanwhile, Manchester City delivered a masterclass in efficiency as they swept aside Swansea City with minimal fuss. Pep Guardiola's changes to the starting lineup did nothing to disrupt City's rhythm, with the visitors controlling proceedings from the first whistle.
The scoreline reflected City's dominance, with goals coming from multiple sources across the team. Swansea battled valiantly but ultimately had no answer to City's relentless attacking quality and tactical discipline, confirming the holders' progression to the quarter-finals in emphatic fashion.
Other Fourth Round Highlights
- Wolverhampton Wanderers secured their place in the next round with a hard-fought victory
- Crystal Palace edged through in another closely contested Championship clash
- Several Championship sides caused upsets against Premier League opposition
- Multiple matches required extra time and penalties to find a winner
The competition continues to deliver surprises and drama, setting up what promises to be an explosive quarter-final draw. With several big names already eliminated and others surviving scares, the path to Wembley remains wide open for those with the nerve and quality to seize the opportunity.
