Antoine Semenyo scored again for Manchester City as his new club took control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against title holders Newcastle – but was controversially denied another goal by VAR.
Semenyo’s opener, expertly managed by Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva, was quickly followed by a smart finish from a corner, only for referee Chris Kavanagh to be sent to the pitchside monitor to review a ‘subjective offside’ call regarding Erling Haaland.
There was no doubt that the City striker was slightly ahead of the last defender, but aside from offside, the dispute was over his interference with play as he struggled with Malick Thiaw near the line. VAR felt Haaland was getting in the way, and ultimately Kavanagh agreed.
The entire episode lasted the best part of six minutes. “We can all agree that VAR is bad for everyone. It doesn’t improve our game,” Jamie Redknapp said. “It’s just a matter of opinion. Those six minutes really bored us.”
Aerial sports Chris Sutton criticized the decision at St James’ Park: “I find it unbelievable. Thiaw was never going to react to that. It was pure guesswork from the referee. Newcastle got away with it.” The incident also upset Pep Guardiola, who was as frustrated by the time it took as he was by the result.
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Semenyo thought he had scored his second goal, but Chris Kavanagh ruled him out for a ‘subjective offside’ call after Erling Haaland was deemed to have interfered with play.
VAR ruled out a second goal for Man City
Just before, Yoane Wissa had seen an effort collected by goalkeeper James Trafford to add to a glaring first-half miss, while Bruno Guimaraes thundered against the woodwork. The four big chances generated by the hosts were wasted.
City are actually the only team to prevent Newcastle from scoring at home all season and added a second late on as two substitutes, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki, combined and the latter swept past Nick Pope.
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Rayan Cherki doubled Man City’s lead in added time
The second leg takes place next month and it is Guardiola’s side who hold a significant advantage: Newcastle have not won at the Etihad since 2014, when Alan Pardew was manager.
“VAR has not been introduced in re-refereeing matches”
Aerial sports Micah Richards on Semenyo’s disallowed goal:
“I understand the process, but VAR wasn’t asked for that. It was an anti-goal, which they said they weren’t going to do.
“If you look at Thiaw and Haaland, they both hold their own. They both go for it.
“While the decision is technically good, I don’t think any goals should be ruled out for it.”
Guardiola outlines VAR complaint
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was unhappy with VAR’s decision to disallow Antoine Semenyo’s second goal in their Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle and spoke about two incidents during their Premier League match at St James’ Park in November.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola:
On the relationship between Haaland and Semenyo: “They weren’t completely connected. We played them a little more passes and they weren’t ready. In the second half, they were a lot more connected.”
On the disallowed goal: “It’s okay. We know how it works and it will make us stronger. It’s always about that. In this situation, this is how we react and compete. Take a look at the match here [in the Premier League]these are two incredible penalties and no intervention. In the championship game here, 60 minutes and 20 minutes, take a look.
“Nine extra minutes means it takes time for VAR to make a decision, and it should be up to the referee to do that.
“Great teams overcome these situations. Not because we won, no, no. It’s part of the game, we have to do better.”
When asked if the decision could still have an impact, he added: “That’s not the point. Newcastle could also score goals.
“It’s about the fact that VAR took nine minutes to disallow a goal and why they didn’t even say anything about the two senseless penalties at 0-0 at Newcastle.”
Semenyo praises Man City’s ‘perfect’ environment
Manchester City striker Antoine Sémenyo:
“The whole environment here is perfect. Everyone is confident and wants to do their best. I walked into this and they helped me with my confidence and made me feel welcome.
“It’s a lot but I’ve enjoyed it so far. I’m picking things up really quickly and enjoying it.
“I’m just taking the confidence I had at Bournemouth here and playing with a smile on my face. I’m enjoying every moment.”
“Cherki was the signing of the season”
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Jamie Redknapp has described Rayan Cherki as a “wizard of the ball” and said he is the signing of the season after the Frenchman impressed again in Man City’s Carabao Cup semi-final win over Newcastle.
Aerial sports Jamie Redknapp:
“You never know how players like this will adapt to the Premier League. Cherki has shown he can do it with and without the ball. You want to see players light up the stadium. He is an incredible signing.
The signature of the season for me. I love watching the Mavericks play football. He makes the ball talk, as if it were his friend.”
How: Punished for “naivety”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe:
“It’s a hard blow [to concede in the last minute] but not fatal at the moment. We are still here, fighting. I think maybe there’s a bit of naivety with a minute to go, that we’re still trying to chase a goal.
“At that moment we had to defend after having poorly structured our structure from that position, and we were punished.
“There was a bit of fatigue in our performance, but I can’t fault the players.”
