Dec 3, 2023 at 10:12 PM Update: 17 minutes ago
Pep Guardiola does not understand the remarkable decision by referee Simon Hooper at Manchester City-Tottenham Hotspur. The referee decided to whistle for a foul in stoppage time and not give City an advantage when Jack Grealish charged towards the enemy goal.
“Next question. I don’t comment like Mikel Arteta,” Guardiola said when asked what he thought of Hooper’s decision. With his answer, the City coach was referring to Arsenal coach Arteta’s tirade after ‘The Gunners’ defeat at Newcastle United (1-0).
Arteta was furious in early November after Anthony Gordon’s winning goal for Newcastle was not disallowed. The Spaniard called it an “absolute shame” and “embarrassing” that the goal was not canceled even after VAR intervention.
Grealish escaped offside in the final phase of City-Spurs and stormed towards the enemy goal after a pass from Erling Haaland. Haaland was knocked down moments earlier, but quickly got up and was able to put Grealish into position. Instead of giving City the advantage, Hooper decided to whistle for the foul, which angered the home side.
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Summary: Spectacular top match between City and Spurs has no winner (3-3)
Guardiola praises Manchester City’s game
Guardiola later commented on the controversial decision. “It’s difficult when you look at the images. The referee decided to whistle after he had already indicated that we had to continue playing. After the pass he still blew the whistle, so I don’t understand his decision.”
Due to Hooper’s decision, Manchester City had to settle for a 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Nevertheless, Guardiola was full of praise for his team.
“I felt like we showed great play on all fronts today, against a good team and coach,” the coach said. “We created a lot of chances, were aggressive and played with incredible concentration. But sometimes football is like life: you don’t always get what you deserve.”
The draw meant that Manchester City lost second place in the Premier League to Liverpool. Guardiola’s team has one point less than ‘The Reds’ and three points less than leader Arsenal.
Beeld: Getty Images
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2023-12-03 21:12:00
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