Pep Guardiola explains what Man City must do to avoid title race being decided by VAR ‘flip of a coin’

Pep Guardiola feels his team have been wronged by the officials in the past - (PA)

Pep Guardiola believes the best way to avoid VAR controversies is to win convincingly.

Guardiola feels his Manchester City side have been on the wrong end of contentious calls in the past and is still aggrieved by decisions in the FA Cup final defeats of 2024 and 2025.

The matter is back in the spotlight after relegation-threatened West Ham were denied a stoppage-time equaliser against title-chasing Arsenal after a lengthy VAR delay, a decision with major ramifications at both ends of the Premier League table.

West Ham were denied by VAR against Arsenal (PA)

Guardiola wants his players to take VAR out of the equation by playing well enough to remove doubt.

The City manager said: “We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn’t do their jobs they should do, even the VAR.

“When this happens it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR.

“I never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago. Always I learned you have to do it better, do it better, be in a position to do it better because you blame yourself with what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin.”

City were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by rivals Manchester United at Wembley two years ago.

Guardiola felt City could have had two penalties in the game after separate challenges on Erling Haaland by Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo.

There was further controversy as City suffered a shock loss to Crystal Palace in last year’s showpiece.

Dean Henderson was in inspired form at Wembley last year (PA)

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was one of the stars of Palace’s triumph, even saving a penalty, but it might have been different had he been sent off for handling outside his area.

Guardiola, however, insists dwelling on officiating decisions serves little purpose and wants City focused solely on ensuring Wednesday’s meeting with Palace leaves no room for debate.

City host the Eagles hoping for a victory to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to two points.

Guardiola said: “You have to do better and better for yourself, and that is focusing on Crystal Palace for us.

“Of course it is not in our hands in the Premier League. Always I say to the players, ‘Do it, do it, do it better’.

“I always learned that when you lose the focus, you are in a dangerous situation.

“The only thing we can do is do it better, that is only in your control.”

PA

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