Liverpool saw off Chelsea in another Carabao Cup penalty shoot-out as former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso suffered his third defeat as a manager at Anfield.

Four years ago in the final at Wembley the Reds prevailed 11-10 in an epic shoot-out in which only one player missed - Republic of Ireland and now Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher playing a pivotal role for the Merseysiders.

And while this could not quite match that for drama the celebrations at the end were telling as the hosts won 6-5 after a 1-1 draw.

Joe Gomez, who has not scored in 280 appearances for the club, struck the decisive spot-kick for the hosts, with Wesley Fofana subsequently blazing over.

The game itself had been short on quality and the fact two needlessly-conceded penalties brought the only goals in a four-minute period at the end of the first half spoke volumes.

Basic geometry meant Ryan Gravenberch's lunge from behind Moises Caicedo was never going to win the ball but it was not even necessary as the midfielder was heading away from goal.

Morgan Rogers scored the spot-kick in an otherwise underwhelming night for the England international – although he was not alone in that regard – before Fofana inexplicably raised an arm to allow Cody Gakpo to equalise.

Manchester City's back-up goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved two spot-kicks as the holders beat Brighton 4-3 on penalties to also edge into the quarter-finals.

The Argentinian denied Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk as City prevailed at the Etihad Stadium after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 in a compelling tie between two much-changed sides.

Brighton had taken the lead through Malick Yalcouye after 30 minutes but Mateo Kovacic – who later missed a penalty in the shootout – levelled for City before the break.

The impressive Georginio Rutter put the visitors back in front and then hit the bar but City took the contest to penalties after Vitor Reis diverted in a Rayan Cherki free-kick.

Both sides converted three successful penalties before Kovacic became the first to miss when Jason Steele denied him.

Rulli responded to beat out Yasin Ayari's effort and then repeated the feat from Dunk to send City through.

Three goals in 10 first-half minutes helped Sunderland into the last-eight.

The Black Cats beat Keith Andrews' Brentford 3-2 at the Stadium of Light, with Chemsdine Talbi, Timur Tutierov and Malick Fofana on target – and right-winger Jocelin Ta Bi having a hand in all three goals for Regis Le Bris' much-changed team.

Callum Wilson pulled one back within three minutes, tapping in off the bar from four yards out, after Vitaly Janelt’s scuffed shot had fallen to him.

Igor Thiago set up a thrilling finish when goalkeeper Melker Ellborg failed to deal with his header in the fourth minute of five added on at the end of the contest.

However, the Black Cats held on to book a place in the last eight of the competition for the first time in five years – when they were a League One team.

Republic of Ireland and Brentford captain Nathan Collins made his return from injury, starting for the Bees before going off in the 71st minute.

The centre-back had not played since picking up a calf issue, coincidentally against Sunderland, on 5 September which kept him out of Ireland's first four Nations League games.

Alan Browne, meanwhile, made his first start of the season for Sunderland - the Corkman's second appearance of the Carabao Cup campaign.

Bournemouth continued their impressive run of results by thumping Aston Villa 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in eight seasons.

Winger Amine Adli fired home in the seventh minute at the Vitality Stadium to set Marco Rose's in-form side on course for a fifth consecutive win in all competitions.

Cherries captain Lewis Cook added a fortuitous second early in the second period before striker Alvaro Rodriguez sealed another 3-0 success following similar wins over AC Milan and Manchester United.

Villa – five-time League Cup winners – were second best for most of a fruitless trip to the south coast as they suffered a first defeat in eight games.

Crystal Palace eased the pressure on manager Pierre Sage as Eddie Nketiah's first-half goal saw them to a 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Additional reporting: PA