Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg showcased their quality, but a contentious VAR decision stole the headlines. Antoine Semenyo’s apparent second goal was disallowed after a five-and-a-half-minute review, reigniting debate over technology’s role in football. The incident highlighted tensions between technical accuracy and the game’s spirit, leaving fans and pundits divided on whether VAR truly serves the beautiful game.
The Incident: A Lengthy and Divisive Review
Trailing 1-0, Newcastle faced further setback when Semenyo—City’s £65m January signing—flicked Tijjani Reijnders’ cross past Nick Pope in the second half. Celebrations were short-lived as VAR intervened.
Erling Haaland, offside and jostling Malick Thiaw, was judged to have obstructed the defender from potentially stopping the ball. Semi-automated offside failed due to close positioning, forcing manual calibration and prolonging the check.
Referee Chris Kavanagh consulted the monitor multiple times before disallowing the goal. The delay—over five minutes—frustrated St James’ Park crowds, amplifying perceptions of overzealous officiating.
Technical Correctness vs Game Flow
The decision aligned with laws: offside players impacting opponents warrant intervention. Yet many argued the interference was negligible—Thiaw unlikely to reach the flick regardless.
Pundits criticised the process. Chris Sutton called it a “sheer guess,” questioning if Thiaw could react in time. Micah Richards labelled it “anti-goal,” arguing VAR wasn’t intended for such marginal calls. Jamie Redknapp and Dan Burn accepted the law but decried subjectivity.
Pep Guardiola suggested the adversity would strengthen City, while Bernardo Silva voiced frustration, referencing past decisions at Newcastle.
Pundit and Fan Reactions
| Pundit/Viewpoint | Comment |
|---|---|
| Chris Sutton | “The game has gone… Is Thiaw really stopping that?” |
| Micah Richards | “VAR wasn’t brought in for this… anti-goal” |
| Jamie Redknapp | “By letter of the law right, but not what we want” |
| Gary Neville (general VAR) | Often critical of delays and re-refereeing |
| Fans (general sentiment) | Frustration with lengthy checks ruining momentum |
Supporters echoed dismay, with social media filled with calls to refine or scrap VAR for non-clear errors.
Manchester City’s Performance and Progression
City controlled proceedings, with Buendía’s opener and a late strike sealing the win. Semenyo impressed on debut, while substitutes added energy.
The aggregate advantage positions City favourably for the second leg. Guardiola praised resilience, viewing the controversy as motivational.
Newcastle’s Perspective
Eddie Howe’s side competed but lacked cutting edge. The disallowed goal proved pivotal, though Hourihane’s team showed spirit.
Focus shifts to Premier League survival and other fronts.
The Ongoing VAR Debate in Football
This episode exemplifies broader issues: extended delays disrupting rhythm, subjective interference judgements, and technology failing in tight scenarios.
Premier League data shows increasing errors this season, with calls for clearer guidelines on “clear and obvious” reviews.
While VAR aims for accuracy, incidents like this fuel arguments it sometimes prioritises pedantry over enjoyment.
Looking Ahead
Manchester City eye another final, leveraging squad depth. Newcastle regroup for survival battles.
The tie—and controversy—underscores football’s evolution: balancing fairness with flow. As competitions intensify, refining VAR remains crucial to preserve the game’s essence.
This Carabao Cup clash delivered drama on and off the pitch, reminding fans why cup football captivates—though technology’s role continues dividing opinion.
