“I don’t f***king care, just give us our 3 points!” – Pep Guardiola explodes over Szoboszlai RED CARD and disallowed Man City goal as furious reaction shocks fans

Bernardo Silva restored City’s lead ten minutes later, and Erling Haaland sealed the points from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time. But the numbers on the scoreboard tell only half the story.
Salah Penalty Shout Waved Away
The controversy began early. Mohamed Salah went to ground after contact from Bernardo Silva during a set-piece, prompting immediate appeals from the Liverpool end. Referee Craig Pawson dismissed the shout, and VAR backed the on-field call, ruling the contact insufficient to constitute a foul. Jurgen Klopp’s successor on the Liverpool bench was visibly frustrated, though pundits were largely split on whether it merited intervention.
Guéhi Escapes With a Yellow
The game’s flashpoint came in the 68th minute when Marc Guéhi pulled back Salah as the Egyptian international bore down on goal. Pawson produced a yellow card, citing the presence of a covering defender as the reason a red card for Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity — commonly known as DOGSO — did not apply. VAR reviewed the incident at length and upheld the decision. Liverpool supporters were incensed, arguing the covering defender was too far away to affect the outcome. The law, however, was on Pawson’s side.
The Incident That Stopped the Stadium
Nothing compared to what unfolded in the 90th minute. With City leading 2–1, Rayan Cherki raced clear and slotted into an empty net after goalkeeper Alisson had charged upfield for a corner. The Etihad erupted. Then silence. VAR had intervened.
The review determined that Szoboszlai had tugged Haaland’s shirt during the foot race that preceded the goal, denying the Norwegian a clear goalscoring opportunity. The goal was disallowed, Szoboszlai was shown a red card, and City were awarded a free kick. Haaland stepped up to convert from the spot and complete the scoring.
The reaction was immediate and fierce. Gary Neville called it one of the worst VAR decisions he had witnessed, arguing that common sense had been abandoned in favour of the rulebook. Even Pep Guardiola, speaking after the final whistle, seemed uncomfortable with the outcome, suggesting the sensible solution would have been to allow the goal and let both sides finish with eleven men.
The Bigger Picture
Both sets of supporters left the Etihad with grievances. City fans, despite the win, were denied what would have been one of the great moments of the season. Liverpool fans felt the Guéhi decision earlier in the match had cost their side a critical advantage.
The debate around VAR is not new. But Saturday evening served as yet another reminder that football is still searching for the right balance between technological precision and the human element that makes the game worth watching.