express.co.uk

Pep Guardiola launches VAR rant as Man City boss moans about Newcastle star

Pep Guardiola took the opportunity to rant about contentious decisions from Manchester City's 2-1 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park last November - after City returned to the same stadium to beat the Magpies in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

When asked about Antoine Semenyo's disallowed goal due to Erling Haaland being offside on Tuesday night, and the lengthy decision-making process, a perplexed Guardiola referred back to an incident involving Fabian Schar and Phil Foden from the previous match. Guardiola, who also mentioned a disputed red card decision in the FA Cup final at Wembley, said: "It's a good question. I will say it now. I would like to know why VAR at 60 minutes in the Premier League game at Newcastle, when we lost 2-1, it was 0-0, and it was an insane penalty on Schar for Phil Foden and not even a consideration.

"And at 20 minutes, there is an unbelievable penalty from a shot from Jeremy Doku that hit Thiaw's hand, and not even VAR. Today, four people were not able to decide because the line was I don't know, but the second goal that Newcastle scored, the line was perfect.

"I'm not suspicious of that in ten years. I didn't say anything when we lost 2-1 here. I didn't say anything in the FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace when it was a red card after 30 minutes for Dean Henderson. Did I say anything? No. It's ok. It's fine.

"I'm pretty sure Howard Webb is going to come in tomorrow to give an explanation of that."

Despite holding a commanding advantage, Guardiola declined to suggest the tie was decided. He commented: "I am happy but it is just one leg, we have the second at home. We have a very good result.

"It should have been 3-0, but we are quite used to this at the moment."

Read full news in source page