12/17/25 04:18:00
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12/17 16:17 CST Cherki pulls out Haaland celebrations after wonder goal in Man
City's win in the English League Cup
Cherki pulls out Haaland celebrations after wonder goal in Man City's win in
the English League Cup
By STEVE DOUGLAS
AP Sports Writer
Rayan Cherki recreated teammate Erling Haaland's goal celebrations after
curling an exquisite shot into the top corner in Manchester City's 2-0 win over
Brentford in the English League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The France playmaker pulled out some robot moves and then sat down cross-legged
in a yoga pose after giving a much-changed City team a 32nd-minute lead.
With his tricks, skills and wonderful technique, Cherki is already proving a
fans' favorite in his first season in Manchester after moving from Lyon. In a
win over Sunderland this month, he produced a "rabona" cross that was headed in
by Phil Foden but left City manager Pep Guardiola urging Cherki to play with
"simplicity" like Lionel Messi.
The goal against Brentford was one Messi would have been proud of. Collecting a
headed clearance at the edge of the box, Cherki deceived an opponent by
switching the ball to his right foot and then whipped a shot into the top
corner.
Savinho added a second goal for City in the 67th minute with a shot that was
aided by a huge deflection that looped over Brentford goalkeeper Hkon
Valdimarsson.
Haaland was named as a substitute for the game, didn't come on, and was seen
shaking the hand of Cherki when the midfielder was replaced in the second half.
City advanced to the last four of the League Cup for the first time since 2021,
the year it won the competition for the fourth straight season and the eighth
time overall.
Newcastle's late winner
Newcastle needed a stoppage-time goal from Lewis Miley to beat Fulham 2-1 and
take its title defense into the semifinals.
Miley glanced home a header from a corner in the second minute of added-on
time, just as the game seemed destined for a penalty shootout.
Yoane Wissa, recently back from a long-term injury, put Newcastle ahead in the
10th minute with his first goal since a summer move from Brentford. Sasa Lukic
equalized for Fulham in the 16th.
Chelsea already into semifinals
On Tuesday, Chelsea beat third-tier Cardiff City 3-1 to become the first team
to reach the semifinals.
The quarterfinals will wrap up next week when Arsenal hosts Crystal Palace.
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Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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