Manchester City don book their place for EFL Cup semi-finals after dem beat Brentford 2-0 for their quarter-final clash wey happen for Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
Fine first-half goal from Rayan Cherki and one deflected shot from Savinho for second half help Pep Guardiola boys edge past stubborn Brentford side and enter final four of the competition for the first time since dem win the trophy four times back-to-back in 2021.
But the match wey happen under light rain for Manchester no pass without controversy, as Brentford feel say Man City defender Abdukodir Khusanov suppose don see red card before Cherki score the opening goal.
Twenty-one-year-old Uzbekistan defender Khusanov na one of seven Man City players wey Guardiola recall enter starting lineup, and e start for centre-back alongside Nathan Ake.
Overall, Khusanov play well for Etihad, but wahala show for the 16th minute when e rush come wipe out Brentford attacker Kevin Schade with last-man tackle just for edge of the box.
Brentford players surround referee Sam Barrott dey shout make e give Khusanov straight red card, as dem believe say the tackle deny clear goalscoring chance, but the English referee stand strong and only show yellow card.
Man City Escape After “Mad Tackle” From Khusanov
“E don clear for goal, e for don shoot, na clear goalscoring opportunity,” former Man City defender Andy Hinchcliffe talk while dey do co-commentary for Sky Sports.
“I fit understand why Brentford dey vex. E don clear for goal and dem take am out. No defender behind fit stop am.”
Hinchcliffe later add say: “Na poor defending from Khusanov. Na clear foul, e don clear for goal. For me, na red card straight.”
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews talk about the decision after the match and say na one “big decision” wey officials no get right for the night.
“Some big moments dey for the game, and that na one of dem. I dey always quick defend referees, I never complain this season, but this one I feel say dem miss am,” Andrews tell reporters.
“The explanation dem give me say the touch dey go away from goal no sit well with me. E dey go straight to goal. Na mad tackle, e wipe am out. I no see am any other way than red card.”
Dem later tell Pep Guardiola about Andrews comment after the match, and the Man City boss jokingly reply say e go invite the Brentford coach come City training ground make dem “discuss” the incident.
“Tomorrow for training ground, I go invite am come cafe make we discuss,” the Spanish coach talk, as e choose no give im own opinion on the matter.
Man City 2-0 Brentford: Khusanov Lucky Say E No See Red
If person look am based on Law 12 of IFAB rulebook, replay show say Khusanov “deny opposing team clear goal or obvious goalscoring opportunity” with the tackle on Schade.
Some people go argue say Nathan Ake for fit recover and block Schade, but the Brentford forward already get few yards ahead of Ake, so recovery tackle from the Dutch defender for no likely.
So Khusanov really lucky say referee no show am red card, and person fit wonder wetin VAR for do if dem use the technology for the match.
No VAR dey for EFL Cup until semi-finals, and the main reason be say the technology only dey available for Premier League stadiums, not lower-league grounds.
League One leaders Cardiff City still dey inside the competition for quarter-finals, so dem for no qualify to use VAR, and the rules make sure say all ties dey on equal ground. Cardiff later lose 3-1 for home against Chelsea on Tuesday.
The absence of VAR finally favour Man City, as dem avoid reduce to 10 men at crucial moment for first half, not long before Cherki score to put the hosts ahead.
Man City don now draw EFL Cup holders Newcastle United for semi-finals, with first leg set for the week wey start January 12, 2026, and second leg go follow for the week wey start February 2, 2026.
