Pep Guardiola was left furious after VAR intervened to rule out an Erling Haaland goal which could have extended Manchester City ’s winning streak in the Premier League to 13 games.
City were held to a 1-1 draw at Brighton on Wednesday night in their first match since they lifted the Premier League trophy on Sunday. Phil Foden gave City the lead from Haaland’s pass before Julio Enciso equalised with a stunning strike into the top corner from long range.
Brighton pushed hard for a winning goal, but looked to have dropped two points when Haaland headed in Cole Palmer’s cross at the back post. Haaland celebrated his 37th league goal of the season before VAR recommended referee Simon Hooper review the goal on the pitchside monitor.
Hooper watched back the replay and saw that Haaland had become free at the back post after pulling back the shirt of Brighton defender Levi Colwill. Hooper did not take long to make up his mind, ruling out the goal for a foul in the build-up.
The Premier League confirmed the decision, tweeting: “Erling Haaland has the ball in the net for Man City, but after visiting the Referee Review Area, referee Simon Hooper has overturned the goal because there was a foul by Haaland in the build-up”.
Guardiola and his coaching staff were angry with the decision, protesting vociferously with the fourth official. The City manager was so angry that the fourth official called over Hooper to show Guardiola the yellow card.
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Asked about the disallowed goal, Guardiola told Sky Sports: "Watch it. Watch it, if it's a fault, every action for Erling is a fault." On his yellow card, he added: "I was complaining about the goal being disallowed.”
Speaking on co-commentary former Arsenal striker Alan Smith said: “It’s one of those sneaky ones that you’d always be able to get away with pre-VAR – what will they make of that?
“It certainly affected Colwill’s ability to keep close to his man, this is where the system works well. It’s the kind of thing centre forwards have done down the ages - little push, little tug at a vital moment. They [Man City] don’t agree with the decision, unsurprisingly I suppose.”
While he was angry with the call, Guardiola was quick to praise his opponents. “Exceptional game. Congratulations to Brighton for their deserved qualification to the Europa League,” he said.
"The game we played, 48 hours after we drank all the alcohol in Manchester, 48 hours later we behaved and we showed why we were the champions against that team.
"We showed what we have done with and without the ball. I didn't see one drop in our intensity and idea. They had chances, we had chances, we scored a goal, they scored a goal.
"Both teams want the ball, both teams want to press. The keepers are fundamental in this game. The quality they have, they are an exceptional team."
