Portions of how City managed that will offer some encouragement, a creative box midfield and split strikers while Erling Haaland and Phil Foden sat on the bench. The second half of the sequence in particular, all about moving the ball at 45–degree angles and ending with Semenyo's two–touch finish, also passing into the far corner seconds before half–time. But as Haaland was given much of the afternoon off, it can't have been a look into the future. Guardiola isn't buying what the referees are selling, taking another pot shot at them – and PGMO chief Howard Webb. 'The referee makes his debut and now everyone will know him,' Guardiola said coldly.

Source: Daily Mail January 24, 2026 18:37 UTC