Pep Guardiola explains why he furiously confronted referee after Man City controversy

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was not happy with referee Simon Hooper after he booked winger Jeremy Doku during their 2-2 draw with Brighton at the Etihad

Pep Guardiola furiously confronted referee Simon Hooper following Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Brighton on Saturday.

Guardiola was not happy after Hooper booked winger Jeremy Doku for simulation after a challenge from Jan Paul van Hecke. While Hooper felt Doku had dived, Guardiola contested that the Belgian had jumped to avoid a potential injury.

“If he doesn’t jump, he can break his leg,” Guardiola explained after the game. “To go on the grass is a tackle and he jumps so there is no contact. Jeremy is not a diving player. They should know it but it is what it is.

“We didn’t win or lose for those decisions. I said to the referee that if he doesn’t jump he can be kicked hard. He jumped to protect himself but it doesn’t matter, don’t ask me about that.”

Guardiola has also admitted that he is feeling the pressure as City hope to qualify for next season’s Champions League. They currently sit fifth in the Premier League after dropping points against Brighton, but just four points separate them from Bournemouth in ninth.

“Nine games left and nine finals,” he added. “It is what it is. I think it will go right to the end. I am always confident. In some moments I have doubts, but I always try to find the right way. You can feel the pressure in the stadium.

“We have to play better and the fans want it so bad. Everyone feels it. We played better than we did at Nottingham Forest. We had spirit. We were there. At Forest we were too passive. Brighton are so good and for 10 or 15 minutes after they scored we were unstable. But we take a point and think of the next game.”

Veteran City star Ilkay Gundogan, meanwhile, urged his teammates to remain “calm” ahead of their final nine matches. “It’s important to stay calm. Of course, mistakes happen even at this level. The opposition are so good,” Gundogan said.

“Every game is tough. Then when you concede sometimes you try not to do overdo things. We need to expect the best from everyone every single day. I thought we had a good week of training. We want to transmit that power and energy into the game. Sometimes it isn’t enough.”

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