After Manchester City’s Premier League defeat to Newcastle on Saturday, Pep Guardiola made a direct approach to referee Sam Barrott as the match concluded.
Given the numerous controversial decisions during the match, this interaction was largely anticipated.
City felt aggrieved by a penalty call, a handball appeal, and a narrow offside decision in a loss that leaves them in third place, four points behind league leaders Arsenal, and having played one additional game.
Despite the frustrations, Guardiola avoided discussing officiating issues post-match.
When questioned by BBC Sport about his exchange with Barrott, Guardiola maintained composure, responding, “Nothing. Everything is fine.”
Sky Sports noted that Guardiola visited the referee’s room at St James’ Park after the match, but reiterated that “everything is fine” and stated, “it is what it is.”
This marks City’s worst start to a season in five years and the second worst under Guardiola’s management.
Currently, City trails Arsenal by four points, having played a game more. Notably, they managed to secure the title in the 2020-21 season despite accumulating just 20 points from their first 12 matches—two points less than their current tally.
Manchester City has dropped four of their first 12 Premier League matches this season [Reuters]
Controversial Decisions: Foul or Not?
Fabian Schar caught Phil Foden in the box, but the referee did not award a penalty [Getty Images]
In the 18th minute, with the score at 0-0, Phil Foden made his way into the penalty area and took a shot that went off target.
Newcastle’s Schar charged in and made contact with Foden’s left ankle, leaving the City player in visible distress.
However, referee Barrott ruled it a goal-kick for Newcastle, a decision backed by video assistant referee Craig Pawson.
According to the Premier League’s regulations, if “contact is inevitable” between a defender and an attacker, then play should generally continue.
That said, if the contact is deemed “reckless” (yellow card) or “serious foul play” (red card), a penalty and the appropriate sanction are warranted.
In this case, Barrott determined Schar’s challenge did not meet the reckless threshold, leading to divided opinions among pundits.
Wayne Rooney, former Manchester United and England striker, commented, “I believe it’s a penalty. The referee may have considered that Foden managed to get his shot off prior to the contact, but Schar’s challenge affected Foden’s positioning for the shot, resulting in contact. It’s a foul.”
Conversely, former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate expressed on BBC Radio 5 Live, “While Schar may not have played the ball, I don’t think it’s a penalty. I don’t believe the challenge was significant enough.”
Former City defender Micah Richards remarked on Sky Sports, “There is contact, but what saved Schar is that Foden had already taken his shot. I don’t think it’s sufficient to overturn the decision.”
Guimaraes: Onside or Off?
A screenshot taken later indicated Bruno Guimaraes was onside for Harvey Barnes’ winning goal, although the initial broadcast replay did not display any offside lines [Premier League]
Shortly thereafter, a shot from Jeremy Doku hit Malick Thiaw’s arm, yet the decision not to award a penalty was upheld by VAR.
Richards commented, “I think that should be a penalty. The only possible reason it wasn’t given is that his palm was not flat. That’s the only rationale I can think of for the decision.”
Harvey Barnes scored a crucial double for Newcastle, but there were discussions regarding whether his second goal in the 70th minute was valid.
Initial replays did not show any offside lines, but later images appeared to confirm that Bruno Guimaraes was onside when he headed the ball against the crossbar.
Barnes reacted quickly to score the follow-up, prompting exuberant celebrations from Newcastle’s players and fans after a five-minute wait for confirmation.
Richards criticized the defending on Newcastle’s second goal, saying, “The defending was inadequate. A player should never be given a free header at the far post. Ruben Dias’ bicep kept Bruno onside—it was incredibly close. We are talking fractions with the Barnes offside call.”
‘I Didn’t Come Here to Blame’
With this result, City has now lost four out of their first 12 league matches, a scenario not seen since the 2013-14 season.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will face Tottenham on Sunday, and City could have applied significant pressure by winning and moving to just one point behind. However, they missed that opportunity.
Guardiola appeared visibly frustrated at full-time, as did City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was irate over being fouled during the corner that led to the winning goal. He similarly argued he had been fouled in their previous match against Bournemouth and received a yellow card for his protests.
Donnarumma seemed to have a confrontation with Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall during the match and had to be restrained afterward.
Guardiola stated, “He felt a touch. But the VAR and referees decided otherwise. We are accustomed to this type of decision.”
The City manager added, “The last five questions have revolved around referees and their decisions. Ask the referees. I haven’t seen any footage yet, and nothing will change.” He continued, “I’ve played two FA Cup finals against Manchester United and Crystal Palace, and I didn’t complain. The game is behind us. I’m not here to blame anyone; it’s fine. If it didn’t happen against Bournemouth, it’s not surprising it didn’t occur today.”