🚨 JUST IN: Szoboszlai Sent Off After Controversial VAR Intervention ⚡ .MH

One goal. Two fouls. Total chaos.

What looked like one of the moments of the season turned into one of the most controversial refereeing calls of the campaign — and now the officials have broken their silence.

Manchester City thought they had sealed a dramatic 3-1 win over Liverpool when Rayan Cherki fired into an empty net in stoppage time, with Alisson stranded upfield.

The Etihad erupted.

Then VAR intervened.

And everything changed.

The Haaland–Szoboszlai Flashpoint

The chaos began with a physical duel between Erling Haaland and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Initially, Szoboszlai pulled Haaland as both chased a loose ball. Referee Craig Pawson spotted it but played advantage, allowing play to continue.

Moments later, as the ball rolled toward goal, Haaland pulled Szoboszlai back — preventing him from clearing the danger.

Cherki finished.

Pawson awarded the goal.

But VAR official John Brooks spotted Haaland’s foul in the build-up and recommended a review.

When Brooks explained the situation, Pawson admitted:

“Ah, I didn’t see that.”

The outcome?

• Goal ruled out
• Free-kick to Manchester City
• Szoboszlai sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity

Yes — Liverpool lost a man.
Yes — City lost a goal.

And yes — fans were furious.

“You’ve Just Killed One of the Moments of the Season”

Gary Neville didn’t hold back on commentary.

“That feels so unjust… there is the smell of the game, it’s completely gone.”

He added:

“You’ve just killed one of the moments of the season.”

To many watching, it felt overly technical. The type of VAR intervention that satisfies the rulebook but drains the drama.

But PGMO Chief Howard Webb backed the officials completely.

“The ball only goes in the goal because Haaland pulls Szoboszlai,” Webb explained.

“We can’t ignore that. We can’t allow advantage because the goal only happened due to that offence.”

In other words: the laws don’t allow for romance.

Even if it hurts.

North London Derby Drama Too

The controversy didn’t stop there.

In Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Tottenham, Spurs thought they had equalised through Randal Kolo Muani.

But referee Peter Bankes ruled it out for a push on Gabriel.

Two hands on the back. Whistle delayed. Goal chalked off.

VAR checked it — and upheld the decision.

Bankes later defended his call firmly:

“When you see two hands on the back in live play, it’s a clear push.”

Despite slow-motion angles sparking debate online, Bankes insisted he remained “comfortable” with the decision.

The Bigger Picture

Two matches. Two high-profile decisions. Two flashpoints that reignited the VAR debate.

In both cases, officials leaned heavily on process:

• Identify the foul
• Apply the law
• Remove emotion

But football isn’t just process.

It’s theatre. It’s chaos. It’s moments.

And when those moments get erased, frustration follows.

Still, Webb’s message was clear: common sense has limits.

Rules are rules.

Even when they cost you a wonder goal.

Even when they ignite a stadium.

And even when half the football world disagrees.