Claudio Bravo who was the hero, making three sensational stops during the game, before producing two penalty saves in the shoot-out to see City through.
And the Chilean has taken the majority of the headlines on this morning’s back pages. Stuart Brennan, writing in the Manchester Evening News, likened his performance to that of Willy Caballero in City’s League Cup final win over Liverpool at Wembley in 2016.
“Claudio Bravo came up with his Willy Caballero moment as Manchester City squeezed into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup,” Brennan writes.
“Caballero produced his heroics in the 2016 final against Liverpool, to carve his own niche in the club’s history, but Bravo was already man of the match as the Blues found a couple of strongpoints, and had their weaknesses exposed by the Championship table toppers.”
Indeed, Brennan gave Bravo a 9 in his player ratings, saying: “Excellent stops from Enobakhare, twice, and Costa, when both were through on goal, and held Batth’s header and then he came up with two brilliant saves in the penalty shoot-out and was mobbed!. 9”
BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan was also full of praise for the South American stopper.
“Claudio Bravo was Manchester City’s hero as they beat Wolves on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals,” Bevan writes.
“Bravo, who made three key saves against the Championship leaders in normal time, continued his heroics to deny Alfred N’Diaye and Conor Coady in the shootout after the game finished goalless.
“City scored all four of their spot-kicks, with Sergio Aguero coolly sealing their victory with a Panenka penalty.
“Defeat was harsh on a Wolves side who had become the first team to stop the Premier League pacesetters from scoring this season.
“Roared on by more than 6,000 travelling fans, the visitors had not only frustrated City for long periods, they created the best chances in open play too.
“But the much-maligned Bravo came to his side’s rescue on three occasions in one-on-one situations, denying Helder Costa in between two saves from Bright Enobakhare.”
Finally the Sun’s Martin Blackburn noted Wolves own title aspirations and abilities, writing in his report: “Wolves have certainly enjoyed the season so far — top of the league, top of the goal charts, and labelled the Manchester City of the Championship.
“But they have not encountered the real thing, albeit one that showed nine changes from the 3-0 weekend win over Burnley.
“Boss Pep Guardiola showed his intent by fielding a team packed full of attacking menace — including Sergio Aguero, who was bidding to become the club’s leading goalscorer of all time.
“The City fans are nuts about the Argentine centre-forward and maybe that includes the squirrel which found its way on to the Etihad pitch before kick-off.
“It took several stewards to move it so play could start on time — and the Wolves defence found Aguero equally evasive early on.”
That’s all for this morning, Blues. Stay with us throughout the day for more reaction to our Carabao Cup win.
