Why Cherki's spectacular goal for Man City against Liverpool was disallowed

Manchester City's Rayan Cherki thought he had scored one of the goals of the season with virtually the last kick of the match when firing home from the halfway line in Manchester City's dramatic 2-1 win against Liverpool on Sunday.

It sparked wild scenes as City's players and fans celebrated the icing on the cake in a win that kept alive its Premier League title hopes.

But those celebrations were cut short at Anfield as confusion spread around the stadium and referee Craig Pawson not only disallowed the goal - but then sent off Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.

With Liverpool chasing an equalizer deep into added time, goalkeeper Alisson went up the field for a corner.

City broke away and Cherki's shot from the halfway line was rolling toward Liverpool's empty net.

Szoboszlai and City striker Erling Haaland chased it down and tussled with each other on the way.

Szoboszlai grabbed hold of Haaland's jersey outside of the box, but the pair continued to run toward goal.

As they neared it, Haaland then grabbed Szoboszlai's shirt to prevent him from making a last-ditch clearance and the ball rolled over the line.

Amid City's celebrations, Pawson was informed by the VAR to review the sideline monitor.

After watching the replay, the official then issued a red card to Szoboszlai for the initial foul, which was adjudged to have denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

“After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, that pulls the shirt of Dominic Szoboszlai. Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offense that denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The final decision is a direct free kick to Manchester City and a red card,” Pawson said.

City manager Pep Guardiola insisted afterward the goal should have stood.

“Come on referee, you give the goal,” he told Sky Sports, “common sense sometimes, right?”

He wasn't too annoyed, though.

“But anyway, like we won," Guardiola said, "so everything is fine.”

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Liverpool's manager Arne Slot talks to a referee during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola reacts after the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Manchester City players celebrate after the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

CHICAGO (AP) — Oscar Cluff scored 21 points, Trey Kaufman-Renn had 20 and No. 18 Purdue topped No. 3 Michigan 80-72 on Sunday for the Big Ten Tournament championship.

Braden Smith had 14 points, 11 assists and three steals as Purdue (27-8) added to an impressive turnaround after closing the regular season with four losses in six games. Fletcher Loyer made three 3-pointers and finished with 14 points.

The Boilermakers won the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2023 and third time overall. They lost to the Wolverines in the final in 1998 and 2018.

Yaxel Lendeborg scored 20 points for top-seeded Michigan (31-3), which beat Purdue 91-80 in their regular-season meeting on Feb. 17. Aday Mara had 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.

Wearing No. 41 after his No. 3 jersey ripped early in the game, Smith helped the Boilermakers seize control by deftly running the pick and roll with Kaufman-Renn in the second half. The senior point guard has 1,075 career assists, just one shy of Bobby Hurley’s NCAA record.

Two jumpers by Kaufman-Renn off passes from Smith powered Purdue to a 55-44 lead with 12:55 left. After Elliot Cadeau scored for Michigan, the 6-foot Smith drove inside, drew a foul on the 7-3 Mara and scored, drawing a big cheer from the Purdue fans in the crowd at the United Center.

Smith celebrated by pounding his chest as he walked toward a rollicking Purdue bench. He made the ensuing free throw for a 58-46 lead with 12:06 to go.

The Boilermakers made nine of their first 11 shots in the second half. They shot 15 for 26 in the second half overall.

Cadeau finished with 10 points and 10 assists for Michigan, which won the Big Ten tourney in 2025. Playing in his hometown, Nimari Burnett scored 12 points.

Purdue used a 12-2 run to take a 38-34 lead late in the first half. But Cadeau found Mara for an alley-oop dunk and converted a tying layup in the final seconds.

Michigan is likely headed for a No. 1 seed when the bracket for the NCAA Tournament is announced later Sunday.

Purdue is in the mix for a No. 2 seed after its impressive performance at the United Center.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Purdue center Oscar Cluff (45) dunks past Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big 10 Conference tournament, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)