How angry Man City dressing room reacted to controversial VAR call - 'So frustrating'

Manchester City saw a second Antoine Semenyo goal controversially ruled out in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Newcastle United

Manchester City claimed a hugely impressive victory at Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final - but there was frustration from the Blues camp over a controversial VAR call that ruled out an Antoine Semenyo goal.

The City new boy had already put his side in front early in the second half and looked to have cleverly flicked in a second from a corner to double the lead. But after a near six minute review, referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the screen and ruled out the goal for an offside call against Erling Haaland.

That threatened to turn the tide of the tie as it galvanised Newcastle as they searched for an equaliser. But City rode the initial storm and finished the game the stronger, adding a crucial second when sub Rayan Cherki slotted home in the final minute of stoppage time.

It was a significant performance from this new-look City squad but much of the talk after the contest was of the VAR call with Pep Guardiola particularly frustrated at the decision and airing his views after the game.

"Four officials and VAR were not able to take the decision, they had to go to the referee," he said. "We know how it works and that will make us stronger.

And it was a similar story within the City dressing room with Semenyo expressing his frustration to the TV cameras as he left the field, saying: "The second goal should have counted."

Speaking after the game to Sky Sports, the 26-year-old added: "The referee came and spoke to me and told me what was going on. It is what it is."

City skipper Bernardo Silva chose his words carefully when speaking to ITV after the game but he was visibly frustrated with the call on the pitch.

"It should have been 3-0 but we are quite used to this at the moment," he said. "I don't know what to say, I don't want to say too much because we know how these things work.

"I saw it, it looked really close to me but it is what it is. It is so frustrating because the last time we came here we also had a lot of decisions go against us. Even though we won it was just frustrating to be honest."