Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola voiced his frustration at VAR inconsistencies despite Manchester City securing a 2-0 triumph against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at St James' Park.
The visitors established a commanding advantage ahead of the return fixture, with Antoine Semenyo finding the net for the second consecutive match and Rayan Cherki adding a late second to seal the victory in the closing stages.
Yet the City manager remained frustrated by officiating decisions, particularly surrounding a disallowed goal that marred an otherwise successful evening for the Premier League champions on Tyneside.
The controversy centred on a second strike from Semenyo from a corner, which was ruled out following an extended VAR examination.
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Officials determined that Erling Haaland had been standing in an offside position while obstructing Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola aired his grievances about the decision and pointed to what he perceived as overlooked incidents during City's previous visit to St James' Park in November.
When asked whether officials had provided any clarification on the ruling, the Spaniard responded: "It's a good question.
"I say now I’d like to know why VAR in the 60th minute of the Premier League game against Newcastle - that we lost 2-1 - it was 0-0 and it was a penalty for (Fabian) Schar on Phil Foden, not even (giving it any) consideration."
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola voiced his frustration at VAR
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He added: "In the 20th minute there is an unbelievable penalty for the shot for Jeremy Doku off the 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 Newcastle scored the line was perfect.
"I’m not suspicious of that in 10 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, it is a red card after 30 or 40 minutes for (Dean) Henderson.
"Okay, it’s fine, but the fact we didn’t say… I’m pretty sure Howard Webb (technical director for Professional Game Match Officials) is going to call me tomorrow to take explanations for that."
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Pep Guardiola remained frustrated by officiating decisions
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Guardiola added: "When you play semi-finals or finals and win 0-1, 0-0, 0-2, 1-1, because after 0-1 with five minutes they can equalise and after that it’s more difficult. I’m zero suspicious. In 10 years when we lost semi-finals in 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’s intervened, ‘take a look, take a look’ – in the 60th minute, 20th minute, take a look at the two penalties.
"To come here in the Premier League and win, 0-1 or 0-2 advantage is a big difference for us.
"I don’t give any credit to Newcastle. I can say they won deservedly the game in the Premier League but why didn’t (VAR) intervene in these two (incidents)? Today was more than six minutes (reviewing) and we’re not even able to discuss it with the referee. But they will call me."
Antoine Semenyo found the net for the second consecutive match
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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted going to the Etihad in February will prove a big test for his team, who have five more games to play before the second leg.
He said: "I think it is probably our biggest challenge, our biggest test of everything really, our belief levels, our ability, our ability to score goals and defend.
"We’re going to have to defend well in that game, otherwise we’ve got no chance.
"I think that’s for another day. I think the beauty of the distance between the two legs means you can just put it away and forget about it. We’ve got so many big games to come before the second leg."
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