LONDON: Claudio Bravo was a forgotten man at Manchester City. Even the most loyal Arsenal fan probably knew little about Eddie Nketiah.
On Tuesday, both players were showered with praise after match-winning performances in the English League Cup.
Bravo, now the second-choice goalkeeper at City after an underwhelming first season at the club, made crucial saves in normal time and in the penalty shootout as Manchester City ousted Wolverhampton Wanderers in a grueling last-16 match.
City won the shootout 4-1 with Sergio Aguero deftly chipping the clinching penalty high into the net after Bravo made flying saves from Wolves’ second and third kicks.
The match was 0-0 after extra time, but only after the Chile goalkeeper came to City’s rescue in repelling a series of shots from counter-attacks by the second-tier leaders.
“Last season was not easy for Bravo, but he is a goalkeeper of a high level,” said Pep Guardiola, the City manager. “He deserved that performance.”
Arsenal, who changed their entire side from the 11 that beat Everton 5-2 in the Premier League last weekend, were five minutes away from losing to second-tier Norwich City at the Emirates.
But England Under-19 striker Nketiah equalised for the Gunners just 15 seconds after coming off the bench to send the game into extra-time at 1-1 with his first senior goal after Josh Murphy’s chip had given the visitors the lead.
And the 18-year-old Nketiah ensured Arsene Wenger’s men would be in the quarter-final draw when he headed home the winner.
“I knew he had quality, but when the team need you and you deliver, that’s another quality you don’t know about until you go on to the pitch,” said Wenger, who has been in charge of Arsenal since 1996. “I’m impressed to think that he was not even conceived when I was already here!”
There were wins for Manchester United, Leicester City and Bournemouth, but fellow Premier League team Crystal Palace came unstuck in losing 4-1 at second-tier Bristol City.
Holders United made eight changes to the side humbled by Huddersfield Town on Saturday but were too strong for Swansea City with Jesse Lingard scoring both goals in a 2-0 win.
“The attitude was good,” said manager Jose Mourinho, who had criticised his team after their weekend Premier League defeat.
Bournemouth, fresh from just their second Premier League win of the season last weekend, enjoyed a 3-1 victory at home to Middlesbrough while Leicester, without a manager since sacking Craig Shakespeare, came from a goal down to beat Leeds United, like Boro a Championship club, by the same scoreline.
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