The match, which saw Erling Haaland score a hat-trick and Antoine Semenyo add another goal, was already heading towards a comfortable home win when post-match revelations from the Video Assistant Referee team ignited fierce debate across English football. Sources close to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed on Sunday morning that VAR officials privately acknowledged an error in not awarding Manchester City a second penalty in the first half, a decision that could have altered the psychological momentum even further in a game already slipping away from Arne Slot’s Liverpool side.
Manchester City dominated proceedings from the outset against a Liverpool team that struggled to find rhythm without several key influencers. Pep Guardiola’s men controlled possession evenly at around 50-50, but their clinical edge proved decisive. Haaland opened the scoring in the 39th minute from the penalty spot after a foul in the box, converting calmly to make it 1-0. He doubled the lead just before half-time with a well-taken finish in the 45+2nd minute, capitalizing on slick build-up play.
The second half saw no respite for the visitors. Antoine Semenyo, who has impressed in recent outings for City, made it 3-0 in the 50th minute with a composed finish from a swift counter involving Rayan Cherki. Haaland completed his hat-trick in the 57th minute, slotting home after good work from Nico O’Reilly, sending the Etihad crowd into raptures. Liverpool, despite efforts from Mohamed Salah and others, failed to trouble the City backline significantly, with goalkeeper issues and defensive lapses compounding their woes.
Final statistics painted a picture of City’s superiority in key moments: 7 shots on target to Liverpool’s 5, though possession remained balanced. The victory propelled City into the FA Cup semi-finals for a record-extending eighth successive season, keeping alive their hopes of lifting the trophy for the eighth time overall.
The real talking point emerged hours after the final whistle. According to insiders, VAR checked a potential penalty incident involving City’s Nico O’Reilly being brought down by Virgil van Dijk around the 38th minute—shortly before Haaland’s first goal. Referee Michael Oliver waved play on, and VAR quickly concurred there was no clear and obvious error.
However, in a rare move, PGMOL sources indicated that upon detailed post-match review, the VAR team admitted the challenge warranted a spot-kick. “There was sufficient contact to justify a penalty,” one official reportedly conceded in internal discussions leaked to media outlets. Replays circulating widely on social media and broadcast analysis showed van Dijk’s trailing leg catching O’Reilly, with the City midfielder going to ground. Critics argue that the “clear and obvious” threshold was misapplied, especially given the high stakes of a cup quarter-final between two Premier League heavyweights.
This admission has fueled accusations of inconsistency in VAR application. Liverpool fans, already reeling from the heavy defeat, pointed out that similar incidents have gone against them in past encounters, while City supporters countered that the game was effectively over by that stage anyway. Former referees appearing on Sky Sports and BT Sport debated the call intensely on Sunday morning shows, with one ex-official stating, “If that’s not a penalty in the modern game, then what is? The speed of the decision-making under pressure remains a concern.”
Pep Guardiola, when asked about the incident in his post-match press conference, appeared visibly frustrated on the touchline during the game but chose his words carefully afterwards. “We focus on the performance, which was excellent. But everyone saw what happened. The players felt it,” the City manager said. Arne Slot, facing tough questions after the thrashing, downplayed refereeing issues but admitted his side “couldn’t cope with City’s intensity.” Slot added, “We missed chances, including a penalty opportunity that Salah was involved in earlier discussions, but the bigger picture is we were second best today.”
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for English football’s officiating body. VAR has faced ongoing scrutiny since its full introduction, with calls for greater transparency, including the release of audio from decision-making processes. PGMOL chief Howard Webb has previously promised more openness following high-profile errors, and this latest admission may prompt another review of protocols ahead of the FA Cup semi-finals and the run-in to the Premier League season.
Analysts suggest the mistake, while not changing the 4-0 scoreline, highlights persistent issues with subjective interpretations of “clear and obvious.” In a match already marked by physical challenges—including bookings for Ryan Gravenberch and Rodri—the incident added to the narrative of a feisty, albeit one-sided, encounter.
Liverpool’s defeat raises questions about their season trajectory under Slot. The Dutch coach inherited a competitive squad but has seen inconsistent results in big games. Injuries and squad rotation may have played a part, with key players like Trent Alexander-Arnold reportedly absent or limited. For City, the win boosts morale as they chase multiple trophies, with Haaland’s form—now with another hat-trick to his name—looking ominous for opponents.
Social media erupted immediately after reports of the VAR admission surfaced. Hashtags like #VARFail and #City4Liverpool trended, with Liverpool supporters expressing frustration over “another dodgy decision” despite the scoreline, while City fans celebrated the dominant display and joked that “even without the extra penalty, it was a rout.”
One prominent football pundit tweeted: “Admitting the mistake post-match changes nothing on the pitch but everything in trust. How many times must we see this before real reform?” Former players weighed in, with some calling for semi-automated offside and penalty technology to reduce human error.
Manchester City now await their semi-final opponent, with Wembley calling once more. They remain in strong contention across competitions, thanks to a squad depth that allows rotation without major dips in quality. Liverpool, meanwhile, must regroup quickly for Premier League fixtures, where the title race remains tight.
This 4-0 thrashing will be remembered not just for Haaland’s brilliance or City’s march to the semis, but for reigniting the never-ending debate over VAR’s role in the beautiful game. As one former Premier League referee noted on Sunday: “Technology was meant to help, not create more doubt. Today’s admission is a step towards accountability, but fans deserve better in real time.”
The FA Cup continues to deliver drama, both on and off the pitch. With City looking unstoppable at home and Liverpool licking their wounds, the road to Wembley promises more twists—controversial or otherwise.
