The Athletic FC Podcast Have Man City reignited the title race?
4 snips
Feb 9, 2026 
Simon Hughes, seasoned Liverpool-focused writer and commentator, and Sam Lee, tactical analyst with a Manchester City lens, dissect City’s dramatic Anfield comeback. They debate VAR controversies, City’s defensive inconsistencies, Liverpool’s late-goal woes, Donnarumma vs Ederson, Foden’s form, Guardiola’s influence and whether momentum has reignited the title chase.
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VAR Shrinks Common Sense
- VAR makes technically correct decisions but removes room for common-sense refereeing and fan enjoyment.
- The panellists argue VAR's evolving rules create confusion and inconsistency in match outcomes.
Keep The Flag Down, Review After
- Stop continually tweaking subjective rules to suit VAR; preserve play continuity by letting goals stand then review afterwards.
- Sam Lee urges keeping the flag down so play can continue and then correcting decisions post-play.
The Donnarumma Trade-Off
- Donnarumma provides match-winning shot-stopping that Guardiola evidently values over ball-playing distribution.
- Sam Lee questions whether the trade-off between distribution and shot-stopping is ultimately a net positive.