Newcastle United latest news: Bernardo Silva has slammed VAR after Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo had a goal ruled-out v Newcastle United.
Bernardo Silva has admitted that he and his teammates were ‘frustrated’ at VAR after the technology ruled-out a second goal for Antoine Semenyo just after the hour mark.
Pep Guardiola’s side had led 1-0 at the time courtesy of the former Bournemouth winger who ghosted in between Sven Botman Anthony Gordon to tap home at the back post. That goal was his second in as many matches for his new club following his £64m move from the Cherries.
Semenyo thought he had added a third goal to his collection just moments later when he tapped in a corner. However, after a six minute VAR check, referee Chris Kavanagh was instructed to view the pitchside monitor for possible interference between Erling Haaland and Malick Thiaw.
The pictures showed that Haaland was just in an offside position as he tangled with his German counterpart. The view of the VAR and referee was that Haaland was interfering with play and thus, the goal was chalked off.
St James’ Park erupted to the confirmation that City had not taken a two-goal lead and the Magpies looked buoyed in the minutes after this decision. Ultimately, they weren’t able to make that momentum count and were undone in stoppage time as Rayan Cherki netted a second for the visitors and a potential killer blow to Newcastle United’s hopes of retaining the Carabao Cup.
Despite their two-goal victory, Silva admitted that his side were still ‘frustrated’ at VAR’s interference at that crucial moment: “I don't know what to say,” the Portuguese international told ITV.
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
“I don't want to say too much because we know how these things work. I saw it, it looked really close to me but it is what it is. It is so frustrating because the last time we came here we also had a lot of decisions go against us. Even though we won it was just frustrating to be honest.”
Dan Burn reacts to VAR controversy
Newcastle United defender Dan Burn was a guest in the Sky Sports studio for his side’s clash with Manchester City. Burn is currently sidelined with an injury he suffered against Sunderland last month.
Reflecting on that VAR decision, Burn said: “I do think it is the right decision, I just don't like the subjective offside. It's either offside, or it's not. We don't want to see that, but by the letter of the law it should be disallowed.”
Read More
Jamie Redknapp, meanwhile, added: “If they had given the goal there wouldn't be one person that looked at this and thought it shouldn't have been allowed. But by the letter of the law, whether we like it or not it is the right decision.”
Newcastle United are not out of the Carabao Cup yet, but have a mountain to climb at the Etihad Stadium in three weeks time. Between now and then, though, they have some crucial Premier League games against Wolves, Aston Villa and Liverpool to play as well as two Champions League matches against PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain to end their league phase campaign.
Continue Reading