Pep Guardiola went on a huge rant during his previous VAR call against Manchester City following the controversy of Antoine Semenho’s disallowed goal in the first-leg win over Newcastle.
Semenyo scored again for City as his new club dominated the Carabao Cup semi-final against reigning champions Newcastle, but had another goal controversially denied by VAR.
Semenyo’s opener, expertly teed up by Bernardo Silva, was quickly followed up by a clever finish from a corner, but referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the pitch monitor to review a “subjective offside” call on Erling Haaland.
There was no doubt that the City striker was slightly ahead of the last defender, but there were arguments not only for offside but also for disrupting play while engaging Malik Thiau near the line. VAR ruled that Haaland was causing interference, and Cabana eventually agreed.
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Antoine Semenyo thought he had scored the second goal but was ruled out for ‘subjective offside’.
“The four referees and VAR could not make a decision. They had to go to the referee,” Guardiola said. He decided to mention a previous VAR call that went against his team last year.
“I don’t understand why VAR didn’t say anything in the Premier League match between Schar and Phil (Foden) and gave penalties to Doku and Thiaw.
“The line was perfect today, millimeter. I don’t understand it, but I’m sure the referee will call me tomorrow here (St James’ Park) in the Premier League to explain why VAR didn’t intervene when it was 0-0.”
“If you look back at my press conference, I didn’t say anything after that game.
“But here VAR intervened, but not for two unbelievable penalties.
“We know how it works and that will make us stronger. I have told the team many times, it is always about that, how we react and compete.
“Look at 60 minutes, 20 minutes here in a league game.
“I said that because we won today. Tell me what I said after the game we lost.”
“I know what will happen in 10 years from here. The line today was perfect.
Asked what he thought was happening, he said: “Ask them. Who’s the boss of the referees? Ask him (Howard Webb). It’s a semi-final. We play a lot to get to the final. It will make us stronger.”
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Carabao Cup semi-final first leg highlights
“Have you reviewed the FA Cup final last season? When (Dean) Henderson touched the ball outside the box. What did I say?”
“Big clubs are overcoming this situation.
“It’s part of the game, we have to get better at it.
“We know that’s going to happen, so we have to do better.”
Asked if he could still have an impact, he said: “That’s not the point.
“Newcastle can score goals too.
“It’s about why nothing was said about the two crazy penalties that ended 0-0 at Newcastle when VAR took nine minutes to disallow a goal.”
What past events is Pep highlighting?
Incident 1: In the first half of Newcastle’s win over Manchester City last November, City players were furious at referee Sam Barott for not awarding a penalty after Fabian Schar had caught Phil Foden’s goal. VAR said it was not a result of recklessness but of momentum.
Phil Foden was caught late by Fabian Schar in the 2-1 loss, but no penalty was awarded.
Incident 2: Pep also mentioned a potential penalty for Malick Thiaw’s handball, which was not awarded as a penalty when Jeremy Doku’s strike was blocked.
Incident 3: Dean Henderson featured as a starter for Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. But should the goalkeeper have been sent off? In the 24th minute, Henderson handled the ball outside the box and got his hand away from Erling Haaland as the City forward tried to run towards the pass.
VAR decided not to send off Dean Henderson in the FA Cup final.
Referee Stuart Atwell and the assistant referee appear to have thought the incident occurred inside the penalty area, allowing play to continue. VAR Jarred Gillett believed Henderson had committed a handball offence. However, Gillette appears to have judged that Haaland did not have a clear scoring opportunity in a situation where the ball left the goal.
Richards on Pep’s VAR rant: I liked it.
Sky Sports’ Micah Richards has given his thoughts on Guardiola’s VAR comments.
“He’s rejuvenated. I love seeing him like that.
“He has a point. I don’t think there is an agenda against Manchester City, but I like the fact that he called for VAR.”
“If it’s offside, that’s fine. But why does it take five and a half minutes? It puts doubt in your mind and that costs you a goal. I understand why he’s frustrated.
“I like that he’s coming out and fighting.”
‘World vs. Pep and Man City’
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp said:
“Pep is trying to create a ‘us against the world’ mentality.
“He is enjoying the fight now and the guys are getting their fitness back.
“Next time there is a big VAR decision regarding Manchester City, Pep will have his doubts.
“He is just trying to make people think that City will make the next decision.”
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Jamie Redknapp has described Rayan Cherki as a ‘magician on the ball’ and said the Frenchman is the signing of the season after impressing once again.
Silva: It should have been 3-0
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva tells ITV about the disallowed goal:
“I’m happy but I only have one leg and the second leg is at home. It’s a very good result.
“It should have been 3-0, but we’re pretty used to it now.”
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to say too much because we know how this works. When I saw it, it looked really close to me, but that’s the way it is. Last time I was here, we made a lot of decisions that were against us, so I’m so disappointed.
“Even though we won, it was frustrating to be honest.”
