Pep Guardiola approached referee Sam Barrott immediately after Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday evening, a match that left the reigning champions grappling with contentious officiating decisions. The loss at St James’ Park has placed City third in the Premier League standings, trailing leaders Arsenal by four points, having played an extra game.
The match was riddled with controversial moments, including a penalty call that City felt went against them, a handball shout, and a tight offside decision. Despite the heated atmosphere, Guardiola refrained from criticizing the referee’s decisions post-match. When questioned by BBC Sport about his conversation with Barrott, Guardiola maintained his composure, stating, “Nothing. Everything is fine.”
Sky Sports reported that Guardiola entered the referee’s room after the game, yet he reiterated his stance, saying, “everything is fine” and “it is what it is.” This defeat marks Manchester City’s worst start to a season in five years and their second-worst under Guardiola’s tenure.
Contentious Decisions Under Scrutiny
At the heart of the controversy was an incident in the 18th minute when Phil Foden was brought down in the box by Newcastle’s Fabian Schar. Despite Foden’s visible pain, referee Barrott awarded a goal-kick, a decision supported by VAR. According to the Premier League’s handbook, contact that is “inevitable” should not result in a penalty unless deemed reckless.
Opinions were divided among pundits. Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport, “I think it’s a penalty,” citing the impact on Foden’s shot setup. Conversely, former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate disagreed, suggesting Schar’s challenge did not warrant a penalty.
“I don’t think Schar gets the ball, but I don’t think it’s a penalty. I don’t think he does enough.” – Jonathan Woodgate
Another contentious moment arose when Jeremy Doku’s shot struck Malick Thiaw’s arm, yet no penalty was awarded. Ex-City defender Micah Richards believed it should have been a penalty, noting, “The only thing that saves him is because he doesn’t have a flat palm.”
Newcastle’s Decisive Goals
Newcastle’s victory was sealed by Harvey Barnes, who scored twice in quick succession. However, his second goal in the 70th minute was debated for potential offside. Initial replays did not show offside lines, but subsequent analysis confirmed Bruno Guimaraes was onside, allowing Barnes to score after a five-minute VAR review.
Richards critiqued City’s defending, stating, “The defending for the second goal was just not good enough,” highlighting Ruben Dias’ positioning as crucial in the offside decision.
“Ruben Dias’ bicep [kept] Bruno on – it is very close. And the Barnes offside, we are talking fractions.” – Micah Richards
Implications for Manchester City
This result means City has suffered four defeats in their opening 12 Premier League games for the first time since the 2013-14 season. With Arsenal facing Tottenham in a crucial North London derby, City missed an opportunity to close the gap on the league leaders.
Guardiola’s frustration was palpable, shared by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who felt he was fouled during the corner leading to Newcastle’s winning goal. Donnarumma’s protests earned him a booking, and he was seen arguing with Newcastle’s assistant manager, Jason Tindall.
“He felt a touch. But the VAR and the referees decide the opposite. We are used to it.” – Pep Guardiola
Guardiola concluded his post-match comments by deflecting blame away from the officials, emphasizing the need to move on. “I’m not coming here to talk about referees, it’s gone. I didn’t come here to blame. It’s fine. It didn’t happen against Bournemouth so it’s normal it didn’t happen today,” he stated.
As the Premier League season progresses, City will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and capitalize on opportunities to regain their footing in the title race. Meanwhile, Newcastle’s victory serves as a testament to their growing strength and resilience in the league.
