PEP'S SINGING IN THE RAYAN NOW

RAYAN CHERKI’S superb first-half strike helped Manchester City reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a comfortable win over Brentford.

- BY PAUL ANDERSON

Cherki produced a rare moment of quality in the game when he arrowed a shot into the top corner in the 32nd minute, and a deflected Savinho strike killed off the contest midway through the second half as City reached the last four for the first time since they last won this competition in 2021.

It was Cherki’s fourth goal in a City shirt. The 22-year-old Frenchman had an injury-disrupted start to life at the club after his £30million summer move from Lyon but is starting to blossom now and was the best player on the pitch until his withdrawal in the 66th minute.

City were sporting seven changes from Sunday's 3-0 win at Crystal Palace and Brentford six from their 1-1 draw with Leeds, and both took time to settle in relentless Manchester rain.

Once they did it was City doing the attacking.