Manchester City beat Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, but manager Josep Guardiola had plenty to say about the controversial refereeing decision during the win.
Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola, the Premier League’s longest-serving manager, insisted he and the referees “know each other very well”, but suggested his team had been treated unfairly by referees throughout his nearly 10-year career in English football. Guardiola disagreed with the decision to concede Tyler Adams’ goal against his team, claiming goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had been fouled.
Adams briefly equalized for Bournemouth after Erling Haaland’s opener at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but further goals from Haaland and Nico O’Reilly ensured City took all three points. However, after the match, Guardiola appeared to remain obsessed with Adams’ leveler.
“I don’t call officials or referees. I’m not the kind of coach who would do that,” the Catalan said. “I wouldn’t do that. Of course they wouldn’t call me. But[Bournemouth’s David Brooks]went there and pulled on[Donnarumma’s arm]and made him unstable.”
“After that, I said I’m sorry, over and over again. I know all the referees. I’m fully aware of what’s going on in this stadium for 10 years. I know that. I’m not going to call. I don’t have time. My schedule is three games, I have a game to play. I don’t have time to waste talking. After I met (referee Anthony Taylor), I said I’m waiting and please tell me if it’s a foul.”
“If it’s a foul or not, just say it. Look, it’s okay. Here they are brave. At the Etihad they are brave, very brave. I have been here for 10 years and we know each other very well. Despite everything, I am very happy with what we achieved at Man City. It was very good. It was very good.”
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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola thought there was no problem with the goal being conceded. “They don’t call these fouls,” the former Rayo Vallecano manager told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“We put pressure on our keepers because we see other teams doing it. The teams that score the most goals from corners come from situations like this. I think today’s game wasn’t the worst.”
City’s win was enough to move them above Bournemouth into second place in the Premier League standings. However, the Gunners still remain six points behind leaders Arsenal after beating Burnley 2-0 on Saturday.
After facing Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, City return to league action on Sunday when they take on reigning champions Liverpool. Arne Slott’s Reds defeated Aston Villa 2-0 on Saturday night, ending their own losing streak and moving into third place.
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