Manchester City were left reeling after Antoine Semenyo had a goal disallowed for a ‘subjective offside’ in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg clash against Newcastle. The former Bournemouth striker put the visitors ahead in the second half and thought he had doubled his tally when he kneed the ball over the line following a corner. However, in an extraordinary and farcical twist, his second goal was disallowed following a lengthy VAR intervention.
The goal was checked due to a potential offside, with Erling Haaland lingering around the goalkeeper as Semenyo poked the ball into the net. The game was delayed for around five minutes as lines were drawn to determine whether an infringement had taken place. Eventually, referee Chris Kavanagh was asked to conduct a pitchside review for a ‘subjective offside decision’.
He was also asked to consider the extent to which Haaland may have interfered with Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw’s ability to try and clear the ball.
Kavanagh ultimately chose to rule out the goal, prompting scenes of wild celebration at St James’ Park. City, meanwhile, were left furious as their players complained and manager Pep Guardiola went ballistic on the touchline.
Chris Sutton, who was on commentary duties for Sky Sports, was taken aback by the decision and did not hesitate to air his thoughts on the current state of the game.
“I find that decision incredible,” he said. “You can see what it’s done to the stadium… There’s a bit of feeling now. Newcastle have gotten away with one.
“I’ve got to tell you, I think the game’s gone. Thiaw was never going to react to that. It’s a sheer guess from the referee.”
Fans on social media were considerably more scathing in their criticism, with even some Manchester United supporters claiming that City were robbed of a perfectly good goal.
@FrankEra_ wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Hate City, but football is done if they’re using VAR for five minutes to rule out goals for this.”
@StevenMcinerney added: “If you’re still in favour of VAR at this point then you’re genuinely just a nerd.”
@GRTourist fumed: “I could not give less of a s*** if that’s offside or not, but this is f****** stupid. VAR continues to be absolute dog s***. One of the worst things in the total cesspit of modern top flight football.”
@kevhpne said: “The clowns operating the VAR system are destroying the game. That is the worst decision I have seen to date.
“The pantomime of the ref approaching the screen just delays things further. Stupid and damaging to the theatre of our great game.”
Justice eventually prevailed at St James’ Park as City scored another goal which was allowed to stand. Rayan Cherki found the net in stoppage time to ensure the visitors will bring a two-goal lead into next week’s second leg at the Etihad Stadium.