Manchester City booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium, thanks to a stunning strike from Rayan Cherki and a second-half effort from Savinho.

City, who last reached the last four in 2021 when they lifted the trophy for a fourth consecutive season, will now await the semi-final draw later this evening to discover their opponents for the two-legged tie.

Brentford started brightly and looked dangerous in the early stages, but were unable to make their pressure count. Stand-in goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson was called into action midway through the first half, tipping over a rising effort from Cherki.

The French forward made no mistake moments later. Collecting the ball on the edge of the area, Cherki shifted onto his right foot and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner to give City the lead on 31 minutes.

After the break, Nico O’Reilly tested Valdimarsson from distance, while Kristoffer Ajer went close at the other end, only to be denied by a superb full-stretch save from James Trafford.

City doubled their advantage on 67 minutes when Savinho’s effort took a wicked deflection, looping over Valdimarsson and into the net to seal progression and leave Pep Guardiola’s side one step away from another Wembley appearance.

Cherki thunderbolt sends Manchester City into Carabao Cup Semi-Finals

Cherki thunderbolt sends Manchester City into Carabao Cup Semi-Finals