West Ham defeat Manchester City on penalties to reach Carabao Cup Quarterfinals

West Ham United became the last team to book their place in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals after they picked up a shock 5-3 win on penalties over holders Manchester City to end their five-year unbeaten run in the competition.

The Hammers were clear underdogs against a near full-strength Manchester City side, who have won the competition in the 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, with their last loss in the competition coming back in October 2016 against Manchester United.

Both sides looked to outmanoeuvre each other as David Moyes looked to continue his brilliant 2021/22 season as West Ham United manager at the expense of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

Manchester City dominated the match, with teenage sensation Cole Palmer leading the line in an unfamiliar false nine role and forcing the best save of the first half from West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola after a neat turn and shot in the Hammers’ box.

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake also went close with a glancing header as he saw his effort fly just wide of the upright after he connected with a freekick in the first half.

West Ham were forced to defend deep and try to survive without seeing much of the ball. The Hammers, however, came close to scoring in the second half after Zack Steffen could only parry a shot from Arthur Masuaku. With Yarmolenko seemingly set to prod the ball into an empty net, Oleksandr Zinchenko made a brilliant recovery tackle to prevent what seemed like a sure goal.

The champions spurned further chances with Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Palmer and Kevin De Bruyne all guilty of missing good chances in the closing stages of the match as penalties beckoned after 90 minutes.

Phil Foden missed Manchester City’s first penalty of the shootout and West Ham United scored all of theirs, with Algerian winger Said Benrahma scoring the fifth and decisive penalty to send the Hammers into the Carabao Cup quarterfinals.

West Ham will now join Chelsea, Arsenal, Brentford, Liverpool, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals draw on Saturday.