The Argentine produced crucial saves from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk after Mateo Kovačić missed City’s third penalty, turning the shootout around and securing a home quarter-final against Bradford City.
Brighton twice took the lead at the Etihad, with Malick Yalcouyé opening the scoring in the 30th minute and Georginio Rutter restoring the visitors’ advantage shortly after half-time. Kovačić equalised for City before the break, while a free-kick from Rayan Cherki deflected off Vitor Reis to make it 2-2 in the 73rd minute.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca praised Rulli, who was making only his second appearance for the club.
“Apart from the penalties, overall he was good,” Maresca said.
“It was not easy because they go man-to-man, aggressive. First half we went long to Floyd and second half on the floor. He made one good save too. He was good.”
Maresca confirmed that Gianluigi Donnarumma would return in goal for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Brighton, adding: “He’s working well but he knows exactly his role. Absolutely no doubt. Saturday is Gigio plus 10.”
City had to fight back twice in a contest in which Brighton’s aggressive approach caused problems. Yalcouyé finished a well-worked move to put the visitors ahead, but Kovačić’s precise strike brought the hosts level before the interval.
Rutter then restored Brighton’s lead just 90 seconds into the second half, finishing after Jaouen Hadjam’s pull-back. City were struggling to find a way through until Cherki’s free-kick took a decisive deflection off Reis, wrong-footing goalkeeper Jason Steele and forcing the tie into penalties.
Maresca said he had not specifically practised shootouts since taking charge, but was pleased with the team’s preparation and the players who featured.
“Since I am here, we’ve never practised it,” he said. “They are all good, but it always happens that the one that scored during the game, Kovačić, missed the penalty.
“I was happy with the way we planned the game, the rotation and very happy with the ones playing inside the pitch.”
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler was disappointed that his side had not secured victory during normal time.
“Of course, we are all disappointed. I think the game was there for us. In the end, losing a penalty shootout is always 50-50, but of course it’s a brutal feeling,” he said.
“The first goal from City happened because they were one man up, and the second goal was a deflected shot, so that’s also football. The moments were on their side, not on our side.”
Hurzeler also praised the players who volunteered to take penalties, despite the outcome.
“It’s not always easy, so therefore I will never complain if someone misses a penalty. I have huge respect for anyone who steps up and takes a penalty.”
Brighton must now regroup quickly, with the sides due to meet again in the Premier League on Saturday. City advance, but the visitors will feel they had done enough to win before the shootout.