Cherki pulls out Haaland celebrations after wonder goal

Rayan Cherki recreated teammate Erling Haaland's goal celebrations after curling an exquisite shot into the top corner in Manchester City's 2-0 win over Brentford in the English League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.

The France playmaker pulled out some robot moves and then sat down cross-legged in a yoga pose after giving a much-changed City team a 32nd-minute lead.

With his tricks, skills and wonderful technique, Cherki is already proving a fans' favourite in his first season in Manchester after moving from Lyon. In a win over Sunderland this month, he produced a "rabona" cross that was headed in by Phil Foden but left City manager Pep Guardiola urging Cherki to play with "simplicity" like Lionel Messi.

The goal against Brentford was one Messi would have been proud of. Collecting a headed clearance at the edge of the box, Cherki deceived an opponent by switching the ball to his right foot and then whipped a shot into the top corner.

Savinho added a second goal for City in the 67th minute with a shot that was aided by a huge deflection that looped over Brentford goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson.

City advanced to the last four of the League Cup for the first time since 2021, the year they won the competition for the fourth straight season and the eighth time overall.

Their opponents in the semifinals will be defending champions Newcastle, who scored a stoppage-time goal to beat Fulham 2-1 on Tuesday.

Chelsea will play either Arsenal or Crystal Palace in the other matchup in the semifinals.

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Miley glanced home a header from a corner in the second minute of added-on time for Newcastle, just as the game seemed destined for a penalty shootout.

Yoane Wissa, recently back from a long-term injury, put Newcastle ahead in the 10th minute with his first goal since a summer move from Brentford. Sasa Lukic equalised for Fulham in the 16th.

Chelsea beat third-tier Cardiff City 3-1 on Tuesday to become the first team to reach the semifinals.

The quarterfinals will wrap up next week when Arsenal host Palace on Tuesday.

- AP