Pep Guardiola sarcastically mocked fourth official Anthony Taylor following Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham.
Guardiola appeared to be dissatisfied with referee Simon Hooper’s decision to sound the whistle for a foul on Erling Haaland just as Jack Grealish ran clear through on goal in the dying minutes of the game.
Despite allowing play to continue, Hooper blew to bring the play back for a foul on the Norwegian in the center of the pitch – despite the glaring opportunity offered to Grealish at the opposite end.
When asked if he had received an explanation for his decision, Guardiola told reporters, “No, the master of commander Anthony Taylor knows everything in this business and didn’t tell me anything.”
His remarks came only moments after he told Sky Sports that he would not make a “MIkel Arteta comment,” referring to the Arsenal manager’s outburst during his team’s loss to Newcastle last month.
“When you review the image, the referee whistles after saying play on and then after the pass whistle. This is what I do not understand.
“Good game is the most important thing; pity, as think Liverpool game and today incredible performance in all departments. Create a lot of chances, be aggressive, and feel like we want to be there.
“Pity, but football is like life, and sometimes you don’t get what you deserve. Congratulations to Spurs on nex.”
Son Heung-min’s strike put City behind after six minutes at the Etihad, but the South Korean attacker equalized three minutes later.
Phil Foden put the hosts ahead just after the half-hour mark, but they were pegged back after 69 minutes by a curling effort from Giovani Lo Celso.
Jack Grealish thought he scored the game-winning goal nine minutes from time after coming off the bench to put City up 3-2. However, Dejan Kulusevski’s stunning header in the 90th minute guaranteed that the spoils were shared.
City have dropped to third in the table, three points behind league leaders Arsenal, following their 3-3 draw with Ange Postecoglou’s side.
They will look to go back to winning ways when they visit Villa Park on Wednesday night to face the in-form Aston Villa.
