Pep Guardiola has reignited the debate around VAR in English football, declaring he has never trusted the technology, as Manchester City face a must-win clash against Crystal Palace to keep their Premier League title hopes alive.
Guardiola's comments came in the aftermath of Arsenal's contentious 1-0 victory over West Ham United, where a late equaliser was disallowed after a VAR review adjudged a foul on goalkeeper David Raya. The decision left City five points adrift, though they hold a game in hand.
The City manager didn't hold back, referencing painful past experiences. "We lost the two FA Cup finals because the referees didn't do their job that they should do. Even the VAR," he said. His distrust, he clarified, stretches back years. "I have never trusted anything [with VAR] since I arrived a long time ago."
Rather than dwell on perceived injustices, Guardiola struck a defiant tone, insisting his side must look inward. He described VAR as "a flip of a coin" and stressed that championship-winning teams must transcend such moments. "You have to do it better yourself. That is Crystal Palace, focus, focus and focus," he urged.
The stakes could hardly be higher. Victory over Palace would slice Arsenal's lead to two points heading into the final round of fixtures. The Gunners then travel to Selhurst Park — meaning Oliver Glasner's side will have a direct say in the destiny of the trophy across both matches.
Adding an extra layer of intrigue, Palace have the UEFA Conference League final to prepare for, which might prompt Glasner to rotate his squad. He has already suggested his priority is the club's interests, not the title race. But Guardiola expects no favours. "They are so professional. Crystal Palace will play top against us," he said, drawing comparisons to relegation-threatened Leeds United's recent intense performance.
Injuries have complicated City's run-in. Rodri, their midfield metronome, has missed four games with a groin injury and faces a late fitness test. Defender Abdukodir Khusanov could also return, offering defensive reinforcement. Guardiola's tactical plans may hinge on their availability.
The manager's philosophy of self-accountability is a thread running through his career. He recalled instilling the same mantra at Barcelona and Bayern Munich: "Guys do it better." That mindset, forged through serial success, now underpins City's last-ditch title charge.
Guardiola acknowledged the title is out of their hands, but he refuses to let that become a distraction. "I always learned that when you lose focus, you're in a dangerous situation," he noted. His players were given a day off to reset mentally before turning all attention to Palace.
The broader context is City's pursuit of a fifth consecutive Premier League crown, a feat never achieved in English football history. The frustration surrounding VAR controversies — both recent and historic — only amplifies the tension as the campaign reaches its climax.
Ultimately, Guardiola's message is clear: control the controllable. Whether it's Rodri's fitness, a contentious off-field decision, or the performance of a rival, the only path to glory lies in their own execution. The Palace test will reveal whether that conviction holds.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.
