Phil Foden was left frustrated after a dramatic late equaliser was ruled out during Manchester City’s emotional defeat to Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, with former referee Keith Hackett branding the current semi-automated offside system “nonsense” and calling for major improvements to the technology.
City’s final home match under departing manager Pep Guardiola ended in disappointment as Villa spoiled the occasion with a clinical display.
While Ollie Watkins’ brace ultimately secured victory for the visitors, much of the post-match discussion centred on Foden’s disallowed strike deep into stoppage time.
The England midfielder thought he had rescued a point when he fired home in the 90th minute, sparking celebrations around the Etihad.
Those celebrations were quickly cut short, however, after the semi-automated offside system intervened.
Images later released by the Premier League Match Centre showed that only a tiny portion of Foden’s body — specifically part of his lower body — had moved beyond the defensive line.
The decision immediately triggered debate among supporters and pundits alike, particularly because of how marginal the offside appeared.
Foden had been facing away from goal at the moment the pass was played, adding further controversy to a call that many inside the stadium struggled to understand.
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes the current system is not yet delivering the level of reliability expected at the highest level of the game.
Speaking about the incident, Hackett insisted the Premier League’s version of semi-automated offside technology still requires significant refinement before it can gain the full trust of players, managers and supporters.
“I have mentioned before, I have problems with the accuracy of the semi-automated offside system that the English Premier League and PGMOL are operating,” Hackett told Football Insider
“I don’t think it delivers the same level of accuracy and speed as the one that we’re going to see in the World Cup.
I believe that the only way you are going to give, if you like, confidence to the players, the managers and the spectators is to go down the route that I went down with goal line technology.”
Hackett compared the current system with goal-line technology, which was widely praised after being introduced because it removed uncertainty and reduced human involvement in decision-making.
In his view, offside rulings should eventually work in a similarly seamless manner.
“Advance the technology on the basis that the criterion is that it operates without human involvement,” he added.
“Now that might mean also a change in law, but with AI, with camera technology, with software programs that can be developed.
“I believe, like goal line technology, you can get to a point where it’s a goal and in the same situation, we get a decision. Let’s take the nonsense out of it and develop the technology.”
Foden faces important season after difficult end to campaign
For Foden, the controversy capped a difficult end to a season that had begun with enormous promise.
The midfielder started the 2025-26 campaign in impressive form and remained one of City’s most productive attacking players statistically, contributing 13 goals and eight assists across all competitions.
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Yet despite those numbers, his performances during the second half of the season failed to reach the standards many supporters had come to expect.
Injuries, inconsistency and tactical adjustments all appeared to affect his rhythm, leading to growing questions about his role in the side moving forward.
Speculation over Foden’s future briefly intensified amid uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s long-term plans at the club.
Those rumours were eventually silenced after the academy graduate signed a new contract extension at the Etihad, reaffirming his commitment to City despite a challenging few months.
The upcoming campaign, however, could prove to be one of the most important periods of his career.
