Pep Guardiola praised Erling Haaland after the striker’s two first-half goals inspired Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth and 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.
Anthony 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.”
Donnarumma 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 games, still 28 to play.”
