Goals from Malick Yalcouyé and Mateo Kovačić had the fourth round tie level at the interval, before further goals from Georginio Rutter and Vitor Reis saw the game end 2-2 and go to penalties.
After perfect strikes from 12 yards by Phil Foden, Pascal Groß, Enzo Fernández, Matt O’Riley, Jeremy Doku and Maxim De Cuyper, Kovačić was first to miss, seeing his effort saved.
But Rulli followed that up with a splendid save of his own, denying Yasin Ayari, before Rayan Cherki scored with our fifth effort of the shootout.
GALLERY: SPOT-KICKS SINK SEAGULLS!
Lewis Dunk stepped up for the decisive strike for the Seagulls, but Rulli was in inspired form, denying the Brighton captain and securing our spot in the quarter-finals.
In an interview with City Studios after the game, the Argentine highlighted our home faithful’s role in getting us over the line.
“For me it’s my moment,” he began. “In these situations I don’t feel the pressure, I try to play also with our fans. For me they are really important in these kind of moments.
“I know I would save any penalty. Before the game I spoke to Enzo Fernández and told him if it goes to penalties I will save two. I feel the confidence, I feel really nice in these kinds of situations. I’m ready to help.
“In that moment when Mateo missed and I saved, that is the moment when the fans tried to help us and I tried to play with that.
“That gave us energy and confidence. It’s really tough to lose when we have all the fans with us.
“This night, they were for me, one of the best points in the stadium.”
Watch Rulli’s entire interview via the video at the top of the page.
