'That's why we have VAR' - Ex-referee spots major error during Man City's win vs Salford City

Manchester City advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday thanks to a 2-0 victory over League Two Salford City at the Etihad Stadium

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has slammed the officials after they mistakenly disallowed Omar Marmoush's goal during Manchester City's 2-0 win vs Salford City in the FA Cup fourth round. The Blues took the lead in the early stages as Rayan Ait-Nouri's cross was deflected into his own goal by Alfie Dorrington.

City thought they had doubled their advantage when Marmoush looked to have broken the offside trap to fire a sensational strike into the top corner. However, the flag was raised on the near side and the goal was chalked off. When the replay was shown, it appeared the Egypt international has timed his run to perfection.

But unfortunately for City, VAR was not in operation during the FA Cup fourth round and so the on-field decision stood. Reacting after the game, Hackett told Football Insider the assistant referee was in a good position to make the correct call.

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"The assistant referee is well-positioned in line with the second rearmost defender," he explained. "However, when you look at the screenshot, the defender close to the assistant appears to be playing the attacker onside, and I would not expect an offside flag to be raised.

"The goal should have been allowed. It highlights why we have VAR on offside calls in the Premier League." Despite all Premier League and Champions League matches having VAR and semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), it will not be in operation until the fifth round of the FA Cup. Justifying their decision last month, the FA explained: "VAR will be used for every tie from this season’s fifth round onwards, and this ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs in the third and fourth rounds."

SAOT, which would have given the goal for City, will also be in operation from the fifth round of the competition but only at Premier League stadiums 'due to the technology and infrastructure that it requires'. Goal line technology has been in operation in the FA Cup since the third round when Premier League and Championship clubs entered.

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Fortunately for City, Marc Guehi scored his first goal for the club in the second half to ensure the Blues reached the next round. However, it was a weekend where the officials were called into question particularly at Villa Park where Chris Kavanagh failed to award Newcastle a penalty despite the Aston Villa defender clearly handling the ball inside the area. Instead a free kick was awarded.

The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup will take place on Monday, February 16 before National League North Macclesfield take on Brentford.