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Manchester City director Pep Guardiola criticized VAR despite his side losing 2-0 in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against holders Newcastle at St James’ Park on Tuesday.
Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki scored the goals as City took a healthy lead ahead of the reverse fixture at the Etihad next month.
Semenyo became the first player in 15 years to score in his first two matches for City after scoring the opening goal eight minutes after half-time before seeing a second goal ruled out following a lengthy VAR check shortly after.
Cherki doubled the lead in the 99th minute but, despite the victory, Guardiola used his post-match press conference to bemoan VAR for previous decisions that went against his team.
The City boss referred to a number of incidents in a fiery post-match rant, including two penalty shouts involving Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku which were disallowed. the Premier League match in November.
However, the Catalan coach insisted that this situation would make his team stronger.
“In the championship game here [St James’ Park] when we lost 2-1, at 60 and 20 minutes, take a look. In my press conference after that match I didn’t say anything,” Guardiola said.
“Everything is fine today because we won.
“The two incredible penalties that didn’t happen. But it doesn’t matter, we know how it works and it will make us stronger as a team. I’ve told the team that many times. It’s always about that.”
Asked what he thinks specifically about the problem with VAR, the City boss simply replied: “Ask him [PGMOL chief Howard Webb]ask him.
Guardiola’s men are back in league action on Saturday when they make a short trip across town to face rivals Manchester United, who on Tuesday announced the appointment of former player Michael Carrick as caretaker manager until the end of the season.
