Josep Guardiola was visibly furious after Manchester City lost 2-1 to Newcastle and came clean about what he said in an angry clash with an opponent. Harvey Barnes’ second-half double ensured victory for the home side in a thrilling game at St James’ Park, and the drama continued after the final whistle. Barnes put the Magpies ahead with a pinpoint shot from the edge of the box, but Ruben Dias equalized five minutes later with a deflected shot.
Despite Gianluigi Donnarumma’s best efforts, he was unable to prevent Burns’ close range shot. The winning goal was harshly ruled offside, and was ultimately ruled in Newcastle’s favor and was subject to a lengthy VAR review, in which Dias was judged to have played Bruno Guimarães onside after receiving a header from Nick Woltemade. City protested to referee Sam Ballot that there might have been a foul on Donnarumma, but after careful checking the goal was allowed.
Guardiola’s frustration at losing points – which Arsenal could capitalize on when they face Tottenham on Sunday – boiled over after the game. The City manager shook hands with Eddie Howe before heading to the pitch, where he confronted Joelinton and Guimarães, who had to be escorted out by team-mates and coaching staff.
The City manager had a long and heated discussion with the Newcastle captain, but it appeared to be far from amicable. He also approached Barot and appeared to reprimand the photographer.
Asked by Sky Sports about his conversation with Guimarães, Guardiola remained tight-lipped: “I said how good he is and asked him about the situation with Gijo, what happened and the previous situation. Everything is fine.”
When I looked into his words to Mr. Barot more closely, he replied: “No, nothing, nothing. Everything is fine… everything is fine. That’s the way it is.”
Guardiola expanded on the general complaint that Donnarumma may have been fouled for Barnes’ crucial second goal. “It happened against Bournemouth, it happened again… Gigio saw the move, I didn’t,” he said.
“But I rely a lot on the players, so I didn’t see it. I didn’t see it. Otherwise, if he wasn’t impressed. But VAR and the referee made opposite decisions in the first half and in the second half. So that’s the way it is. We’re used to it.”
The defeat follows City’s impressive 3-0 win over Liverpool before the international break, which leaves them third in the Premier League, four points behind Arsenal, and could extend their lead to seven points if they beat Spurs in Sunday’s derby.
