Pep Guardiola said Saturday's win over Wolves came "despite" the officials, after Farai Hallam went against the advice of the VAR and denied Manchester City a penalty.
With City already leading 1-0 thanks to Omar Marmoush's early goal, Hallam – who was overseeing his first Premier League match – was sent to the monitor for a pitchside review.
VAR Darren England advised that Yerson Mosquera's arm was in an unnatural position when Marmoush flicked the ball against him on the left side of the penalty area.
But Hallam did what no other Premier League referee has done this season, opting against overturning his decision while at the monitor.
Though Antoine Semenyo continued his fine start to life at the Etihad Stadium, drilling home in first-half stoppage time to give City a 2-0 lead that they comfortably saw out, Guardiola was not happy with the decision.
Asked about the officiating after full-time, Guardiola said: "I would love to have the players to fight against that. We won despite them.
"The referee made a huge debut, now everybody will know him.
"I think it's the first time they went to the TV and disallowed it for a 'normal' position of the arms."
Guardiola then referenced an incident from City's 2-0 derby loss to Manchester United one week earlier, in which Diogo Dalot escaped a red card despite appearing to catch Jeremy Doku with a reckless, high challenge.
"I'm pretty sure Howard Webb tomorrow is going to appear in the media to explain why it's not a penalty, like he did against United," Guardiola added.
"That's why Jeremy could not play in Norway [in a 3-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt], because of the action from Dalot.
"But it's okay. I'm waiting for tomorrow. Don't wait for Wednesday – we have the Champions League and we are busy.
"Howard Webb, come tomorrow and explain why it's not a penalty."
Lepabdmnos
0
City is falling. Complaining against a mediocre Wolves
your prayer is for the city to fall because your club is nowhere to be found since the arrival of pep. hate City for nothing
Lepabdmnos
0
I never like this pep guy
your generation can never like a Google thing that is why you hate Good thing
Viwcelmnyz
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115 cheating club talking .you cheat every day and now you have mouth to talk
Evans0323
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The same incident you very correct. That shows that the English Referees are up for Arsenal and against Manchester City. Yesterday the same Dalo red card tackle was repeated against Jeremy Dorku and Mosqua wasn't even shown a Yellow after standing on Jeremy Dorku's Ankle. English Referees hate Manchester City for no reason.
I said they didn’t give Arsenal a penalty against Aina you are saying that they are in Arsenal favor
lbcrna
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I never like this pep guy
vaokmpty
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If they give this for a penalty that means Ola Aina own against Arsenal will be penalty too
The same incident you very correct. That shows that the English Referees are up for Arsenal and against Manchester City. Yesterday the same Dalo red card tackle was repeated against Jeremy Dorku and Mosqua wasn't even shown a Yellow after standing on Jeremy Dorku's Ankle. English Referees hate Manchester City for no reason.
vaokmpty
0
I will never give penalty for this . the ball despite touching his hand fall into the citizen foot and he even completed his action . Marmoush shoot on the goal and he miss why the referee should come back the defender hand ball ?
You don't know football ⚽. Go watch handball 🤾♂️ games instead of football.
123Sonam
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What was not natural, your VAR decision is put your packet Arsenal money okay
Ruacduyz
1
Yeah it was a clear penalty no argument about that. But those referees and VAR in England are now something else
tobdikmors
2
I will never give penalty for this . the ball despite touching his hand fall into the citizen foot and he even completed his action . Marmoush shoot on the goal and he miss why the referee should come back the defender hand ball ?
Vudbmopsuy
0
Take VAR completely out of the game those who monitor it can’t assist the officials and some officials remain poor in making vital decisions
Yakadnorsz
0
old nited will be the same old nited not even top six old nited won't finish this season.
pains .. we scored u
Medbcdlmrs
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they are mediocre because citizens won if they win city they will not be mediccore team
vumaeinpy
0
City is falling. Complaining against a mediocre Wolves
old nited will be the same old nited not even top six old nited won't finish this season.
Evans0323
0
If they give this for a penalty that means Ola Aina own against Arsenal will be penalty too
DrUnited
3
City is falling. Complaining against a mediocre Wolves