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Pep Guardiola criticized refereeing consistency after Gabriel's headbutt attempt on Erling Haaland during Manchester City's 2-1 win over Arsenal. He referenced a similar incident from 2016 involving Nolito to emphasize his point.
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Pep Guardiola recalls 2016 incident in rant over Gabriel headbutt attempt on Erling Haaland
Pep Guardiola has recalled an incident involving Nolito during the 2016/17 season when criticising the handling of Gabrielâs headbutt attempt on Erling Haaland.
The incident occurred during Sundayâs seismic 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium, where Erling Haalandâs 64th-minute winner sent Manchester City within three points of the Premier League summit.
In a heated second-half exchange, Arsenal defender Gabriel appeared to thrust his head toward Haaland, resulting in only a yellow card for both players from referee Anthony Taylor â a decision later backed by the Premier League as not being âexcessively violent.â
Pep Guardiola recalled a 2016 incident involving Nolito to criticize the inconsistent refereeing following Gabriel's headbutt attempt on Erling Haaland.
Manchester City won the match 2-1 against Arsenal, with Erling Haaland scoring the decisive goal.
Pep Guardiola has received seven yellow cards this season, nearing a three-match touchline ban.
Guardiola highlighted a lack of consistency in refereeing standards, referencing previous red cards given to Nolito and Rodri.
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Erling Haaland delivers classy response to Gabriel headbutt controversy in Manchester City win over Arsenal
The fallout has reignited a debate over âplay-actingâ in the game, with Erling Haaland praised by his manager for staying on his feet.
The result, which saw goals from Rayan Cherki and Haaland cancel out Kai Havertzâs fluke equaliser, left City in the driverâs seat for the Premier League title â taking top spot from the Gunners in Wednesday nightâs 0-1 win at Burnley.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Pep Guardiola issued a passionate rant on Gabrielâs attempted headbutt on Erling Haaland.
âI would not play that game right now,â said Guardiola. âI donât have much sympathy for the refereesâ world in this country so what am I going to say? I know Erling has behaved as he did.â
The Manchester City manager continued, âI know my experience with Nolito in the first season [2016/17] and I remember perfectly Rodri with Morgan Gibbs-White and Nottingham Forest. Both had three-game bans because the other player was a big artist.
âErling has not done it. But this is a decision for the referees. Iâm really pleased I get another yellow card [for my team]!â
Pundits have since been calling for Erling Haaland to show âmore play-actingâ in such scenarios, on which Guardiola responded, âThatâs nice! Referees still believe Jeremy Doku is a diving player, when thereâs no less diving player in the planet.
âEvery time they believe heâs diving. Now the pundits encourage to do that! Erling behaved like he is: an extraordinary player. Iâm really proud what Erling has done.â
Pep Guardiolaâs own booking for his protests during the Gabriel incident brings significant risk for the remainder of the campaign, having now accumulated seven yellow cards, and placing him just two bookings away from a three-game touchline ban.
As Manchester City prepare for their FA Cup semi-final against Southampton on Saturday evening, the narrative will no doubt remain fixated on the Catalanâs hopes of securing more major silverware at the Etihad Stadium.
Having claimed the Carabao Cup earlier this year, Manchester City continue to have a clear opportunity at a domestic Treble, with the FA Cup and Premier League well within their grasps in the final weeks of the campaign.