Guardiola Rages Over Solanke’s Controversial Goal in City Draw

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was left fuming after a contentious goal from Dominic Solanke helped Tottenham Hotspur claw back a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Sunday. The draw dealt another blow to City’s Premier League title chase, leaving them six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola Disputes Solanke Goal in Premier League Thriller

Premier League drama unfolded as Manchester City looked firmly in control during the first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Rayan Cherki put City ahead with an early strike, and Antoine Semenyo doubled the advantage before halftime. The visitors could have extended their lead further, dominating Spurs in the opening 45 minutes.

However, the momentum shifted after the break. Tottenham came alive, with Dominic Solanke at the heart of their resurgence. His first goal, which proved highly controversial, saw him poke the ball into the net after apparent contact with Marc Guehi. Despite City’s protests and a VAR review, the goal was allowed to stand, much to Guardiola’s dismay.

Guardiola’s Frustration With Decision-Makers

Guardiola did not hold back when questioned post-match, stating to BBC Radio 5 Live, “Well, if you do it to a striker it would be a penalty. I’m not a referee. Fascinating in the Premier League.” He echoed this sentiment in his press conference, highlighting the inconsistency he perceives in officiating: “If a central defender does it to a striker, it’s a penalty, right? You said it, I didn’t say it, you saw it.”

City’s manager also reflected on his team’s inability to maintain momentum in high-pressure situations. “That happens in the Premier League today. Sometimes we can control it but the way the game in England is played, it happens sometimes. We are playing at a high level. We didn’t have the consistency to win the games when others were able to do it, 14 games is a lot of games. Six points [gap to Arsenal]. Next one.”

Solanke’s Magic and Spurs’ Comeback

After Solanke’s first contentious goal, Tottenham pressed on. The forward then produced a moment of brilliance with a stunning scorpion kick to level the scores and complete his brace. With Spurs’ fans in full voice, the hosts pushed for a winner, but the match ended all square.

The draw means City missed a vital opportunity to close the gap at the top, while Tottenham celebrated a hard-earned point in front of their home crowd. Solanke’s performance, particularly his second goal, will be remembered as one of the highlights of the season.

Thomas Frank Responds to Solanke Controversy

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank, asked about the disputed goal, acknowledged the controversy but noted that such incidents tend to even out over the course of a season. “I think there’s clear contact from him on it, [but] we wanted in general a higher threshold [to overturn decisions]. I think if the Liverpool goal [in the 2-1 loss in December] where [Hugo] Ekitike has two clear hands in the back of [Cristian] Romero… I think it’s no ‘grey areas’. Very happy it finally dropped to us, which I think was more than fair.”

Frank’s pragmatic view emphasized the unpredictable nature of Premier League officiating and the emotional swings that come with tight decisions.

Premier League Title Race Tightens

With Arsenal still leading the charge, Manchester City’s failure to secure all three points at Tottenham puts further pressure on Guardiola’s side as the season approaches its decisive phase. City now must turn their attention to upcoming fixtures, including a crucial Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle and a high-stakes league clash at Anfield against Liverpool.

The title race remains wide open, and every point dropped could prove costly. City’s consistency, mentality, and ability to overcome adversity will be tested more than ever as the season enters its final stretch.

What’s Next for Manchester City?

Manchester City’s busy schedule continues this week. They host Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, holding a 2-0 advantage, before facing Liverpool at Anfield in a key Premier League showdown. Arsenal could potentially extend their lead even further before City’s next league fixture, amplifying the importance of every upcoming match.

For more news and the latest updates on the Premier League title race, visit for more news.

Opinion: Refereeing Consistency Still Lacking in the Premier League

The Solanke goal controversy highlights an ongoing issue in the Premier League: inconsistent officiating and VAR decisions. While drama is part and parcel of English football, fans and managers alike crave fairness and clarity in refereeing. Guardiola’s frustration is understandable—such pivotal calls can have lasting implications in a tight title chase. Ultimately, until more consistency is achieved, debates like these will continue to dominate headlines and fuel the passion that makes the Premier League so captivating.