Manchester City surged into the FA Cup semi-finals with a commanding victory over Liverpool, producing a ruthless display that underlined their growing momentum in recent weeks.
The 4-0 triumph at the Etihad Stadium was driven by a clinical performance in front of goal, with Erling Haaland leading the charge through a superb hat-trick, while Antoine Semenyo added further gloss to an already emphatic scoreline.
For Liverpool and their manager Arne Slot, the result intensified mounting pressure, as their side struggled to convert opportunities and contain City’s attacking fluency.
Despite flashes of promise, including several openings for Mohamed Salah, the visitors were ultimately outclassed across the pitch.
City’s performance followed their recent Carabao Cup success, where they overcame Arsenal, suggesting a team hitting peak form at a decisive stage of the season.
Yet, amid the dominant display, attention was drawn to a contentious refereeing decision that sparked debate both during and after the match.
Controversy over missed first-half decision
The defining talking point came early in the contest when City broke forward with purpose just 17 minutes in.
Haaland, demonstrating his awareness and composure, picked out Rayan Cherki inside the penalty area. The young midfielder attempted to shift the ball past Milos Kerkez, who lunged in with a challenge that appeared to make contact with the player rather than the ball.
Despite strong appeals from the home side, referee Michael Oliver waved play on, with no intervention from the video assistant referee.
The decision drew visible frustration from City’s bench, including manager Pep Guardiola, as well as a loud reaction from supporters inside the stadium.
Former referees’ chief Keith Hackett did not hold back in his assessment of the incident. Offering his view after the match, he said told Football Insider: “That is a nailed-on penalty kick and amazing that it is not given.
“Michael Oliver, a potential World Cup official in the summer, really should have pointed to the penalty mark. Poor decision.”
Hackett’s remarks reflect ongoing scrutiny surrounding officiating standards, particularly in high-profile fixtures where marginal calls can influence the narrative of a game.
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While this particular moment did not ultimately alter the outcome, it added to a growing list of debated decisions involving Oliver.
While the missed call remained a point of discussion, Manchester City’s superiority ensured it was not decisive.
Guardiola’s side maintained control, dictating the tempo and exploiting gaps in Liverpool’s defence with precision and consistency.
Oliver did award two penalties during the match, demonstrating his willingness to make big decisions when necessary.
One such instance came when Nico O’Reilly was fouled inside the area by Virgil van Dijk, prompting the referee to point to the spot without hesitation.
