Manager Josep Guardiola has made an unusual rant about a previous VAR call made against Manchester City after Antoine Semenho’s controversial goal was ruled out in the first-leg win against Newcastle.
Semenyo scored again for City as his new club took the lead in the Carabao Cup semi-final against holders Newcastle, but the extra goal was controversially ruled out by VAR.
Semenho’s opening goal, deftly teed up by Bernardo Silva, was soon followed by a smart finish from a corner kick, only to be sent to the pitchside monitor for referee Chris Kavanagh to consider a “subjective offside” decision on Erling Haaland.
There was no doubt that the City striker was slightly ahead of the last defender, but there was discussion not only of offside but also of interference with play when he grappled with Malik Thiaw on the edge of the line. VAR ruled it was Haaland’s interference, and Kavanagh ultimately agreed.
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Antoine Semenyo thought he had scored his second goal, but it was ruled out for ‘subjective offside’.
“The four referees and VAR were unable to make a decision, so we had no choice but to consult the referee,” Guardiola said, referring to a previous VAR decision that went against the team last year.
“I don’t understand why VAR didn’t say anything about the game between Schaal and Phil (Foden) in the Premier League, then the penalty for Doc and Thiau.
“Today’s line was perfect, by a few millimeters. I don’t understand it, but I’m sure tomorrow we’ll get a call from the officials to explain why VAR didn’t intervene in the 0-0 game here[at St James’s Park]in the Premier League.”
“If you look back at my press conference, I didn’t say anything after that game.
“But here VAR intervened, but not for the two unbelievable penalties.
“We know how it works and it’s going to make us stronger. I’ve said it to the team many times and it’s always about how we react in that situation and how we compete.”
“Look at the league games here, the 60th and 20th minutes.
“I said it because we won today. If you say something after the game we lost, please say it.
“After 10 years here, you know what’s going to happen. Today’s line was perfect.
Asked to clarify what was going on, he said: “Ask them. Who’s the boss of the referees? Ask him (Howard Webb). It’s the semi-finals. We’re going to play a lot to get to the final. That’s going to make us stronger.”
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Carabao Cup semi-final first leg highlights
“Did you rewatch last season’s FA Cup final? When[Dean]Henderson touched the ball outside the box. Did I say anything?”
“Big clubs overcome these situations.
“It’s part of the game and we have to get better at it.
“We know it’s going to happen, so we have to do better.”
Asked if that could still have an impact, he said: “That’s not a problem.
“Newcastle could also score goals.
“It took VAR nine minutes to cancel the goal and why they didn’t say anything about the two insane penalties in the 0-0 win against Newcastle.”
What events from the past does Pep emphasize?
Incident 1: In the first half of Newcastle’s win over Man City in November, City players were furious at referee Sam Ballot for not awarding a penalty after Fabian Schaal caught Phil Foden trying to score. VAR said this was a result of momentum rather than recklessness.
Phil Foden was caught by Fabian Schaal late on in the 2-1 defeat, but no penalty was awarded.
Incident 2: Pep also mentioned a potential penalty for Malik Thiau’s handball in that match, which was not awarded when Jeremy Doku’s strike was blocked.
Incident 3: Dean Henderson starred in Crystal Palace’s win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final, but should the goalkeeper have been sent off? In the 24th minute, Henderson handled the ball outside the box and palmed it away from Erling Haaland as the Man City forward tried to pass.
VAR decides not to send off Dean Henderson in FA Cup final
Referee Stuart Attwell and assistant referees appeared to believe the incident occurred within the penalty area, which allowed play to continue. VAR Jared Gillett believed Henderson had committed an infraction for a handball. However, Gillett apparently decided that Haaland did not have a clear chance of scoring as the ball was moving away from the goal.
Richards says he liked Pep’s VAR abuse
Sky Sports’ Mika Richards thinks about Guardiola’s VAR comments:
“He was in good spirits. I like seeing him like that.
“He has a point. I don’t think there will be a game against Man City, but I like the fact that he called for VAR.”
“If it’s offside then that’s fine, but why does it take five and a half minutes? It raises questions and then they give him a goal. I can understand why he’s frustrated.”
“I love when he comes out to fight.”
“It’s the world versus Pep and Man City.”
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp said:
“Pep is trying to create an ‘us against the world’ mentality.
“He is enjoying the fight now and the players are getting back to fitness.
“The next major VAR call involving Man City will raise suspicions for Pep.
“He’s just trying to make people think City will make the next decision.”
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Jamie Redknapp described Rayan Cherki as a “magician of the ball” and said he was his signing for the season after the Frenchman impressed again.
Silva: “It should have been 3-0”
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva told ITV about the canceled goal:
“I’m happy, but it’s only one leg. I got the second one at home, which is a very good result.
“It was supposed to be 3-0, but we’re pretty used to this at the moment.”
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to say too much because we know how these things work. I saw it, it seemed very close to me, but that’s what it is. It’s very frustrating because the last time we were here there were a lot of decisions against us as well.
“Even though I won, I was disappointed to be honest.”
