Analysis: No VAR stings the Bees
- Published
Brentford boss Keith Andrews will be left wondering what could have been had the referee brandished a red card instead of a yellow in the direction of Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov during Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Etihad Stadium.
With no VAR available until the next round, Brentford had to accept Sam Barrott's decision and Andrews' pleas towards the fourth official made no difference.
"I'm very quick to defend officials generally - it is such a difficult job, but that was one they didn't get right," Andrews said.
"The explanation - the touch being too far away from goal - doesn't quite sit well with me after watching it back because he is clean through on goal.
"If it's a red card, it's a big advantage for us obviously - but we will never know."
Mathias Jensen's resulting free-kick was well struck but batted away by goalkeeper James Trafford.
The visitors were unable to find a way past the stand-in goalkeeper, and have now lost five of their past six meetings against Manchester City.
Brentford fell at the quarter-final stage of the Carabao Cup for the second consecutive season, having lost to eventual winners Newcastle last season.
