- In a match where the offside flag was absent, Hooper allowed play to continue but later called it back for a foul on the Norwegian in the middle of the pitch. This decision, despite Grealish having a clear chance at the other end, raised questions. Guardiola, questioned by beIN Sports about the choice, stated that Anthony Taylor, the referee, didn’t provide any explanation, emphasizing Taylor’s expertise in the field.
Earlier, Guardiola had refused to make a comment akin to Mikel Arteta’s recent outburst. Refusing to discuss Arteta when prompted, Guardiola highlighted Taylor’s role, indicating a lack of communication on the decision-making process. Upon reevaluating the situation, the umpire’s whistle was noted after saying “play on” and again after the pass, creating confusion.
Expressing disappointment about the turn of events, Guardiola likened football to life, where deserving outcomes are not guaranteed. Despite City’s 3–3 draw with Postecoglou’s team, they slipped to third place, trailing Arsenal by three points.
The match at the Etihad saw Son Heung-min scoring City’s first goal within six minutes, but an own goal from him three minutes later leveled the score. Phil Foden’s 29th-minute goal briefly put City ahead, yet Giovani Lo Celso equalized in the 69th minute. Grealish, coming off the bench, believed he secured the winning goal, putting City ahead 3-2 with nine minutes left. However, Kulusevski’s strong header ensured a shared victory.
Looking ahead, City’s next opportunity to secure a win is on Wednesday night at Villa Park against an in-form Aston Villa. The loss dropped City to third place in the table, setting the stage for a competitive season.
