Source: The Guardian Sport
Pep Guardiola has said he is ‘sometimes tough’ with Erling Haaland and the forward ‘always tries to be open-minded’.Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPAView image in fullscreenPep Guardiola has said he is ‘sometimes tough’ with Erling Haaland and the forward ‘always tries to be open-minded’.Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPAManchester CityPep Guardiola hits out at referee and says ‘without Haaland it would be tough’Guardiola: Bournemouth goal was ‘due to the official’Man City manager hails ‘incredibly coachable’ strikerJamie Jacksonat the Etihad StadiumSun 2 Nov 2025 15.45 ESTLast modified on Sun 2 Nov 2025 21.31 ESTSharePep Guardiola praised Erling Haaland after the striker’s two first-half goals inspired Manchester City to a3-1 victory over Bournemouthand took them second in the table, though the manager also criticised officiating at the Etihad Stadium during his nine years in charge.Haaland’s 12th and 13th league goals of the season came on 17 and 33 minutes, Nico O’Reilly’s third for City coming on the hour. Tyler Adams equalised in the 25th minute for the visitors but it was a controversial goal as David Brooks placed a hand on Gianluigi Donnarumma at Alex Scott’s corner, removing it from the goalkeeper at the last moment.Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have moved with times – but in their own way | Jonathan WilsonRead moreAnthony Taylor waved away City’s complaints. Afterwards, Guardiola called the incident “100%” a foul and criticised the referee. “I said to him after, when we see each other: ‘Tell me if it’s a foul or not because I’m waiting. If it’s a foul or not, just tell me. Just take a look [at a replay].’ It’s fine. They’re brave here. In the Etihad they [referees] are brave, so brave.“I’m sorry to tell you the unbelievable goal for [due to] the official. But I’m one decade here and we know each other quite well [him and referees]. I’m so pleased at what we achieved with Man City, despite everything, so it has been so good. Don’t worry, I don’t call the officials and the referees, I’m not the manager to do that. But in the past, a lot of prestigious managers called them.”View image in fullscreenThe referee Anthony Taylor waves away player protests during Manchester City’s win against Bournemouth.Photograph: Phil Noble/ReutersDonnarumma was booked for complaining. Guardiola was pithy about this. “We conceded the yellow card, that’s good,” the manager said. “We have James Trafford [as a deputy]. It’s not a problem.”Guardiola was far happier with Haaland, as City’s next highest league goalscorer is Burnley’s Maxime Estève, with two own goals. “Without him, it’d be tough, to be honest,” said the 54-year-old. “And he is incredibly coachable – I’m tough sometimes with him. And he always tries to be open-minded.”City are six points behind Arsenal. Asked about his team as title challengers, Guardiola referenced how Mikel Arteta’s side have let in only three goals. “Hopefully Arsenal can concede one goal one day, right?” said Guardiola. “It’s just 10 gam…
Published: 2025-11-02T20:45:43
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