Enzo Maresca has admitted that Manchester City went into their Carabao Cup penalty shootout against Brighton without a single training session dedicated to spot-kicks — and still came out on top.

The City manager made the revelation after his side edged past Brighton on Wednesday, advancing in the competition thanks to a shootout victory that owed nothing to preparation and everything to nerve.

Maresca's candid admission raised eyebrows, with most top clubs treating penalty practice as a staple of their knockout-round preparations. For City, however, it appears instinct carried the day.