Pep Guardiola rages at Prem refs again as Man City boss calls out Howard Webb
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Pep Guardiola has claimed that Manchester City overcame Wolves despite the performance of the officials as he criticised PGMOL chief Howard Webb for justifying a foul during last week's Manchester derby. Guardiola claimed Diogo Dalot's tackle on Jeremy Doku forced the City winger to miss their Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt in midweek - and slammed Webb for publicly backing the decision.
Guardiola was incensed on Saturday after his side were denied a penalty against Wolves in City's 2-0 victory . Omar Marmoush demanded a spot-kick for handball, and it was referred to VAR, who recommended referee Farai Hallam - making his Premier League debut - to review the monitor.
Maintaining his initial judgement, Hallam determined it wasn't a penalty as he stated that the defender's arms were in a natural position when the ball struck him.
Guardiola was unhappy about the decision following the match and he also remains annoyed about Webb publicly declaring that Dalot's foul merited only a yellow card as he urged his players to 'fight' the decisions that he believes are working against his team.
"Yesterday I said I had the feeling that not having the players for the last two seasons is the only regret I have," Guardiola said. "I would love to have players to fight against that. We won despite them.
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"We did six Premier Leagues in nine years so why do I not have the players. The referee made a huge debut, now everybody will know him... I think it's the first time they go to the TV and disallowed what is a 'normal' position of the arms.
"I'm pretty sure that Howard Webb tomorrow is going to appear in the media to explain why it's not a penalty and what he did against United, like it was the first time he had done it because there was a little bit of doubt.
"That's why Jeremy could not play in Norway - for the action from Dalot. But it's okay. I'm waiting tomorrow. Don't wait for Wednesday - we have Champions League, we are busy - Howard Webb, come tomorrow and explain why it's not a penalty.
"That's why bring me back the players please to fight what we have done since day one. It's too much."
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Guardiola's frustrations with officials stretch back to when he first arrived at the Etihad Stadium a decade ago, but his grievances have grown stronger following a meeting at the start of the season - which seemed to suggest that Erling Haaland and others would receive greater protection.
The failure of this to materialise has left the City manager increasingly frustrated. "Come tomorrow to explain the rules how it works again. Do you know how many fouls are whistled to Jeremy with his incredible speed? If you and me run side by side with our rhythm and they push us and go down it's diving but the speed with Jeremy they touch a little bit and he cannot control his speed," Guardiola continued.
"Do you know how many fouls that they believe is diving from Jeremy? At the beginning of the season they tell us that long balls when the central defenders go over the shoulders of the striker it will be a foul.
"We had a good meeting. Do you know how many fouls for Erling Haaland?
"He has had more fouls whistled against him than for him. It's again and again.
"Please bring me the players back is all I want, what we have done in nine years. I'm so sorry for them."
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