Rayan Cherki took on a leadership role for Manchester City in their Carabao Cup fourth round win over Brighton, scoring the winning penalty in a shootout after the match ended level.
With three of the four club captains absent, Cherki addressed his team-mates in the pre-match huddle. Marc Guehi wore the armband, but it was Cherki who led by example during the opening exchanges, troubling Brighton defenders with several early runs forward.
He registered the first shot of the night and, with the game barely 15 minutes old, tried to rally the home supporters inside a sparsely populated Etihad Stadium.
City Comeback After Twice Falling Behind
The contest was not a classic, and City's grip on the competition appeared to loosen when Brighton took the lead twice. Malick Yalcouye opened the scoring before Mateo Kovacic equalised, then Georgino Rutter restored the visitors' advantage within 90 seconds of the second half.
City needed a spark, and Cherki provided it by getting the Blues back on level terms. His driven free kick did the damage, even if the second equaliser may have flicked in off Vitor Reis.
Cherki Steps Up as On-Pitch Leader
The goal reinvigorated City, with Cherki visibly animated as the team pushed to settle the tie in normal time. He repeatedly had words for team-mates and, having been replaced at half time in four of City's matches this season, demonstrated his reliability.
Enzo Maresca knows the qualities his number 10 possesses and will have been impressed by how the 23-year-old stepped up as one of the on-pitch leaders during the contest.
Penalty Shootout Drama
The tie ultimately went to penalties, with Cherki converting the fifth spot kick for the home side after both teams had missed their fourth attempts. He then stared down opposing goalkeeper Jason Steele and offered encouragement to his own stopper, Geronimo Rulli.
Rulli kept out Lewis Dunk's effort to send City through, and Cherki led the celebrations on the halfway line, sprinting to join his goalkeeper at the front of the group.
