Josep Guardiola was furious after Dominic Solanke’s controversial opening goal was disallowed as Manchester City drew 2-2 with Tottenham on Sunday.
Manager Josep Guardiola furious with officials (Image: Sky Sports)
Josep Guardiola has renewed his fight against VAR after Manchester City’s controversial 2-2 draw with Tottenham. Dominic Solanke scored twice in the second half as Spurs fought back to secure a point and end City’s hopes of winning the Premier League title.
Goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo gave City a comfortable victory, with Spurs leading 2-0 by half-time despite boos from their home fans. However, Tottenham were a completely different team after the break, with Solanke scoring two goals.
Spurs’ first goal was controversial, with Solanke apparently kicking Marc Guehi and scoring the goal past Gianluigi Donnarumma. The goal was awarded on the field by referee Robert Jones, who, despite City’s protests, was allowed to stand alongside VAR Jared Gillett.
Solanke then leveled the score with a stunning scorpion kick, giving City a six-point lead over Premier League leaders Arsenal. Guardiola has made his feelings on VAR very clear recently and was unable to keep his mouth shut again after the game.
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Asked on BBC Radio 5 Live what he thought about Spurs’ opener, he said: “Well, if you did that to a striker it would be a penalty. I’m not the referee. It’s great in the Premier League.”
He was more modest when asked on Sky Sports. When first asked, he answered vaguely, “One more time.” Guardiola was approached by reporter Patrick Davison and asked, “Have you seen it?” When Davison said his opinion didn’t matter, Guardiola shrugged and said, “Okay, okay,” and walked away from the interview.
Asked for his opinion for a third time, Guardiola simply added: “No, nothing. Nothing, that’s all.” When asked if he didn’t want to get involved, he replied: “Of course not! Now it’s the same thing again. What do I say? Marc has the ball and he kicks it from behind and it’s a goal. So what do I say? I can’t say anything, it’s just another one.”
Dominic Solanke’s goal conceded (Image: Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville felt the authorities were right to allow the goal. But former striker Clinton Morrison took a different view on BBC Radio 5 Live. “He kicked Guehi away,” he said. “That would have been a foul. I don’t know what VAR is doing. VAR should have been involved.”
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank was delighted with Solanke’s impact, but admitted the opening goal was a close call. “I think Dom (Solanke) clearly understood that, but you can tell it’s a 50-50 situation,” he said. “I think it’s one of those borderline things, but I think it could be a goal.”
Asked by Sky Sports about the opening goal, Solanke said with a smile: “I played the last defender because I knew they had a high line and I wanted to take advantage of it at times.
“It was a nice ball from Xavi (Simmons), I touched inside and it was definitely my goal. I don’t know why they say that (it was Guehi’s own goal). Obviously I think Marc came to make the last tackle, but it was a great finish.”
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