Manchester City secured a 2-0 victory over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, but the result was marred by a VAR controversy. Antoine Semenyo had a second goal ruled out after a lengthy five-and-a-half-minute review. Officials determined Erling Haaland interfered with play from an offside position, blocking Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw.

Pep Guardiola insisted the disallowed goal would make his team stronger, while Bernardo Silva expressed frustration over another contentious call at St James' Park. The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel had previously admitted a wrong penalty decision against City at this venue. The lengthy delay fueled fan anger, with many calling the process a re-refereeing of the match.

Sky Sports pundits were divided. Chris Sutton argued the game has gone, believing Thiaw couldn't have reached the ball anyway. Conversely, Jamie Redknapp and Dan Burn conceded the call was technically correct by the strict letter of the law, despite criticizing the subjective nature of the review. Micah Richards argued VAR wasn't intended for such marginal, anti-goal decisions.