On video: penalty shoot-out saves Manchester City from Arsenal's fate in the League Cup
The Citizens came back twice in the match.
Manchester City scraped into the quarter-finals of the English League Cup on Wednesday evening, edging Brighton 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time at the Etihad Stadium.
From the spot, Mateo Kovacic missed for City. Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk both failed to convert for Brighton.
The two sides reconvene at the same ground next Saturday, this time in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola fielded a side of reserves, yet City avoided the trap that caught Arsenal. The Gunners crashed out on penalties to fourth-tier Fleetwood in one of the season's biggest shocks.
City and seven other clubs will learn their fate when the quarter-final draw takes place later.
Brighton struck first in the 30th minute through Malick Yalcouye, his shot cannoning off the goalkeeper's face and into the net. The hosts hit back five minutes before the break when Kovacic lashed one in from outside the box, deceiving the keeper.
Georginio Rutter restored Brighton's lead in the 47th minute, pouncing on a low cross. City levelled once more in the 72nd minute, Rayan Cherki's effort deflecting in off team-mate Vitor Reis.