Carabao Cup : Yalcouyé and Hadjam decisive, Brighton fall to City on penalties

Yalcouyé scored and Hadjam provided an assist, but Brighton were eliminated by Manchester City after a spectacular 2-2

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Yalcouyé and Hadjam decisive, Brighton fall to City on penalties

28.10.26 AP EFL Cup (Carabao Cup)

Manchester City

2 (4)

Brighton

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Malick Yalcouyé scored and Jaouen Hadjam provided an assist, but Manchester City eliminated Brighton on penalties on Wednesday evening.

Brighton took the lead twice at the Etihad but were unable to bring down Manchester City. The Seagulls were eliminated in the last 16 of the English League Cup after a 2-2 draw and a penalty shootout won 4-3 by the Citizens. Malick Yalcouyé and Jaouen Hadjam nevertheless played a decisive role in both of the visitors’ goals.

Yalcouyé puts Brighton ahead before coming off in the 81st minute

The first moment of brilliance came from Yalcouyé. In the 30th minute, the young midfielder pounced from close range on a ball delivered by Georginio Rutter to open the scoring. The goal rewarded his positioning in the box and gave the visitors the lead.

🚨 Malick Yalcouyé right footed shot from very close range. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Manchester City 0-1 Brighton https://t.co/Txoyigoo7F
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) October 28, 2026

At 20, the player developed at ASEC Mimosas continues his education at the highest level. Signed by Brighton in 2024, he gained experience in particular during loan spells at Sturm Graz and then Swansea. Starting on Wednesday, he played 81 minutes before making way for Mats Wieffer.

Hadjam sets up Rutter for Brighton’s second goal

After Mateo Kovačić equalised from a Phil Foden pass in the 40th minute, Brighton regained the lead immediately after the break. In the 47th minute, Jaouen Hadjam delivered a cutback to Rutter, who controlled the ball before placing his shot.

🚨🇩🇿 𝗛𝗔𝗗𝗝𝗔𝗠 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗘́𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 ! L’international algérien Jaouen Hadjam 🇩🇿 délivre une passe décisive face à Manchester City en Carabao Cup 🅰️ #Hadjam #CarabaoCup https://t.co/s4Sxa7fVot
— F.M.Y (@Mohamedyou85246) October 28, 2026

The Algeria international thus stood out for his attacking contribution. This assist builds on his encouraging early signs in England: he had already scored his first Premier League goal against Sunderland on October 10.

Aït-Nouri comes on at half-time as City snatch qualification

For Manchester City, Ayyoub Bouaddi left the field at half-time and was replaced by Rayan Aït-Nouri. Used sparingly since the start of the season, the Algeria defender was therefore given an opportunity to regain match sharpness. Before this game, he was still waiting for his first minutes in the Premier League.

City eventually equalised in the 72nd minute through Vitor Reis, who was set up by Rayan Cherki. The Citizens then secured qualification on penalties. For Yalcouyé and Hadjam, their decisive contributions were therefore not enough to avoid elimination, despite twice holding the lead.

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