Guardiola argued that referee, Simon Hooper would have been “disappointed” if he were a Man City player
By Kehinde Okeowo
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has defended the action of Norwegian striker, Erling Haaland after the Premier League champions drew 3-3 against Tottenham at the Etihad on Sunday.
The host scored three times during the highly entertaining encounter but were pegged back each time by the visiting Spurs.
Speaking after the game, Man City’s Spanish tactician, said the centre referee, Simon Hooper would have been “disappointed” if he played for the Citizens in the encounter.
Hooper controversially stopped a City attack for a foul on Haaland with Jack Grealish through on goal after he had initially asked the English international to play on.
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His decision drew furious reactions from the Norway international and his teammates, who saw it as a chance to go 4-3 late in the match.
After the game, Haaland could be seen fuming as he made his way to the dressing room.
When asked to comment on his reaction, Guardiola said: “It’s normal. If the referee played for Man City today, he would have been disappointed too.”
Man City with the draw against Spurs are now third on the Premier League table and three points behind the league leaders, Arsenal.
They will, however, be hoping to bounce back on Wednesday evening when they travel to Villa Park to take on fourth placed and high flying Aston Villa.
