Antoine Semenyo scored again for Manchester City as his new club took control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against holders Newcastle – but was controversially denied another goal by VAR.

Semenyo’s opener, teed up by Jeremy Doku, was swiftly followed by a clever finish from a corner, only for referee Chris Kavanagh to be sent to the pitchside monitor to review a “subjective offside” call concerning Erling Haaland.

There was no doubt the City striker was marginally ahead of the last defender, but as well as the offside, the dispute was over his interference with play as he grappled with Malick Thiaw close to the line. VAR deemed Haaland to be impeding, and eventually Kavanagh agreed. The entire episode took the best part of five and a half minutes.

Sky Sports’ Chris Sutton was critical of the decision from St James’ Park: “I find that incredible. Thiaw was never going to react to that. It’s a sheer guess from the referee. Newcastle have gotten away with one.”

Just before, Yoane Wissa had an effort clawed away by keeper James Trafford to add to a glaring miss in the first half, while Bruno Guimaraes thundered against the woodwork. All four of the big chances the hosts generated were squandered.

City are actually the only side to prevent Newcastle scoring at home all season and added a second late on as two substitutes, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki, combined and the latter swept past Nick Pope.

The return leg takes place next month and it’s Pep Guardiola’s side who hold the advantage – Newcastle haven’t won at the Etihad since 2014, back when Alan Pardew was manager.

‘VAR wasn’t introduced to re-referee games’

Sky Sports’ Micah Richards on Semenyo’s disallowed goal:

“I understand the process but VAR wasn’t brought in for this. This was anti-goal, which they said they weren’t going to do.

“If you look at Thiaw and Haaland, they both have hold of each other. They are both going at it.

“While the decision may be technically right, I don’t think goals should be ruled out for this.”