Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted he has never trusted anything with VAR after Arsenal widened the gap to five points with a 1‑0 win over West Ham. The decision that denied West Ham a late equaliser left City five points behind with only two games left. Guardiola insists the focus must stay on the team, not on refereeing.

With the title race tightening, City face Crystal Palace on Wednesday to claw back ground. Guardiola said the club can only control its own performances, noting past FA Cup finals where VAR missteps cost the team. He warned that the “flip of a coin” in VAR must be compensated by better play from his side.

Key injuries may influence the outcome. Midfielder Rodri is expected back after four games out, while defender Khusanov could return next week. Guardiola stressed the need for both to regain fitness and emphasised Palace’s professionalism, predicting a hard‑fought encounter. The match will decide whether City can close the gap before the final weekend.

The Premier League table now shows Arsenal leading with 78 points, City 73 and Palace 71. A win would bring City within three points, keeping the race alive. Guardiola’s comments reflect the pressure on his squad to perform under scrutiny, while Palace’s manager Oliver Glasner hints at rotation due to the upcoming Conference League final.