Manchester City secured a comfortable passage into the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 17 December 2025. The win was inspired by a moment of magic from French midfielder Rayan Cherki, who stepped up in the absence of the rested Erling Haaland.
Cherki Channels Haaland in Stunning Opener
With star striker Erling Haaland watching from the bench, it was the creative force of Rayan Cherki who provided the breakthrough. The 21-year-old collected the ball, danced away from Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard, and unleashed a ferocious 20-yard strike that flew into the net. The goal was followed by a celebration familiar to City fans: first the 'robot', then the meditative pose, a clear tribute to the absent Norwegian. Haaland, from his vantage point on the sidelines, appeared to appreciate the impersonation.
Cherki's performance underscored why City considered his £30 million summer signing a bargain. Recently the team's assist king with four in his last four league games, he was deployed in a more advanced role against Brentford, often acting as the furthest man forward in a fluid 4-2-4-0 formation. His superb strike was his most telling contribution in a display full of promise.
Guardiola's Rotation Pays Off as Savinho Seals It
Pep Guardiola, who had admitted making too many changes in a recent defeat, got his rotation spot-on this time. Making seven alterations from a previous outing, he saw his side control much of the tie. The victory was sealed in the second half by winger Savinho, who scored only his second goal of the season in his 20th appearance. His effort took a significant deflection off Nathan Collins before looping over Bees goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson.
The win moves Guardiola one step closer to a historic fifth League Cup triumph, which would see him break the record he currently shares with Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Brian Clough. He was able to hand a late debut to teenager Charlie Gray and even substitute substitute Phil Foden, who had come on early for the injured Oscar Bobb.
Brentford's Frustrations and City's Defensive Solidity
Brentford, managed by Keith Andrews, will feel aggrieved that they played over 70 minutes against eleven men. They argued forcefully that City defender Abdukodir Khusanov should have been sent off early for a professional foul on Kevin Schade, but referee Sam Barrott's decision to show only a yellow card stood in the absence of VAR.
The visitors, who made six changes and rested Jordan Henderson and Igor Thiago entirely, offered limited threat. Goalkeeper James Trafford enjoyed a welcome clean sheet at the Etihad, having lost his two previous appearances there, making saves from Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt.
For City, the victory was achieved despite a lengthy injury list that included Jeremy Doku, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Rodri, and the absence of Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Cherki's return to form after a two-month injury layoff has therefore been a major boost, proving he can be both creator and a capable deputy scorer when Haaland is unavailable.
