In the aftermath of a thrilling 3-3 draw against Tottenham, Pep Guardiola faced scrutiny for a controversial referee decision that impacted Manchester City’s performance. Despite refraining from direct criticism of his former assistant, Mikel Arteta, Guardiola expressed dissatisfaction with the referee’s call that denied City a potential late victory.
The contentious moment occurred in the fourth minute of extra time when City, seeking a decisive goal, had play halted due to a foul on Erling Haaland. Jack Grealish, in a promising position, was denied an opportunity, leading to a vehement protest from City’s players.
Initially evasive about the incident, Guardiola eventually elaborated, expressing bewilderment at the referee’s timing in blowing the whistle after signaling to play on. He remarked, “It is hard when you review the image, the referee decides to blow the whistle after he has already said to play on. After the pass, the whistle, so I do not understand this action.”
Despite the controversy and City’s third consecutive Premier League draw, Guardiola acknowledged the overall quality of the game, praising the team’s performance against a formidable opponent managed by Arteta. He highlighted their aggression, concentration, and the desire to stay at the top of the table. Guardiola concluded by noting the unpredictability of football, stating, “Sometimes football is like life, you do not get what you deserve.”
In essence, Guardiola’s comments expressed frustration over the referee decision while emphasizing the positive aspects of City’s performance in a challenging match against a top-tier opponent.
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