Guardiola rants about VAR after Semenyo’s disallowed goal in win over Newcastle

Pep Guardiola says he cannot understand why VAR intervened to rule out Antoine Semenyo’s second goal in his side’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win over Newcastle, but did not in City’s game at St James’ Park earlier this season.

City took control of the two-legged semi-final tie with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Semenyo and Rayan Cherki.

But Guardiola was left feeling aggrieved when Semenyo was denied a second for a marginal offside call on Erling Haaland, with the officials taking five-and-a-half minutes to make their decision.

“It’s a good question,” Guardiola said when asked about the decision to rule out the goal.

“I say now, so I would like to know why VAR in the 60th minute in the Premier League game against Newcastle that we lost 2-1, at 0-0 it was an insane penalty from Schar on Phil Foden, not even in consideration.

“And at 20 minutes, there is an unbelievable penalty from the shot of Jeremy Doku, Thiaw handball, 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 score (in the Premier League game), that was perfect. It was perfect, the line.

“Did I say anything when we lost 2-1 here? No. I didn’t say anything when in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, it’s a red card, after 30 or 40 minutes for Henderson. Did I say anything? No. But okay, it’s fine.

“I’m pretty sure Howard Webb is going to call me tomorrow with an explanation of that.”

“Listen, I’m zero suspicious,” Guardiola continued. “In ten years, when we lost semi-finals in the big competitions, in the league here, I didn’t say anything. On the touchline, sometimes. 

“But, come on, in the same stadium, what happened? VAR had to intervene. Take a look in the 60th minute and 20th minute.

“Take a look at the two penalties. Come here in the Premier League, you win 0-1 or 0-2 and that’s a big difference for us.

“Credit to Newcastle. I can say they won, deservedly, the game in the Premier League. But why didn’t (VAR) intervene in these two games? And today was more than six minutes and we weren’t even able to discuss it with the referee. But they will call me. They want to explain it to me.”

Nonetheless, Guardiola was pleased with the second-half performance his side showed.

“First half, people up front were not connected in our game,” he said. “And second half, Erling and especially Antoine, they were much better.”