Pep Guardiola kicked and broke a chair after Arsenal scored a controversial goal against his Manchester City side in Sunday’s huge Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.
The Premier League champions made a superb start to the crucial fixture and took the lead inside ten minutes through Erling Haaland, who raced through on goal and slipped the ball past David Raya to score his 100th for Manchester City.
It felt as though Man City could soon double their lead but Arsenal responded 13 minutes later with a goal of their own, Riccardo Calafiori scoring a superb equaliser from the edge of the box.
Several City players rushed to referee Michael Oliver after the goal, complaining that they did not get a signal for the game to go on after a free-kick and that it was not taken in the position from which the foul occurred.
Manchester City captain Kyle Walker also wanted more time to get back into position after being ushered towards the referee for a brief chat after the break in play.
Their complaints were waved away, however, provoking a furious Guardiola to kick his chair in the dugout as he returned to the bench.
Guardiola was also seen berating fourth official Andrew Madley and yelling at his assistants.
Dissecting the incident, ex-Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville said on Sky Sports’ commentary: ‘This is why Man City are unhappy… Michael Oliver calls Kyle Walker over.
‘Walker then turns his back and starts jogging back but they’re complaining because he doesn’t get back to his spot.
‘They also think it was taken away from where it was awarded. He said to the ref, “you’ve pulled me out of position and not allowed me to get back”. I’d be annoyed.’
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher added: ‘You can totally understand the reaction.’
Former Premier League midfielder Leon Osman also discussed the incident on BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘This is incredible,’ he said. ‘Man City are moaning at Arsenal taking a quick free-kick, City were not ready for it.
‘Man City players are caught out by it. The ball over the top to Martinelli and Man City were scrambling.
‘Seeing the replay for the Arsenal goal. The reason Man City are so frustrated…
‘The referee calls the captains over and Kyle Walker vacated the right-back area and went into the centre of the circle to have a chat with Oliver, as did Saka from the other side.
‘Before Walker had recovered into his position the free-kick was taken into the area he had vacated.’
Guardiola’s mood got even worse when Arsenal took the lead just before half-time courtesy of Gabriel’s towering header from a corner.
But Manchester City were then handed a huge boost on the stroke of half-time as Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away and sent off, leaving Arsenal to play the second 45 minutes with ten men.
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