The match between Manchester City and Tottenham ended in a 3-3 draw, resulting in significant frustration for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola, the team’s manager, chose not to make a comment like Mikel Arteta, and Erling Haaland expressed his disbelief by writing “wtf” on social media. This reaction followed a controversial decision by referee Simon Hooper, who stopped play just as Jack Grealish was clear on goal, after initially allowing play to continue for a foul on Haaland.

Hooper had let the game proceed despite a foul on Haaland, but halted it after Haaland’s pass put Grealish in a scoring position. This decision led to Manchester City players surrounding the referee in anger, a situation that might lead to a Football Association charge. Guardiola was also seen arguing with the fourth official. At the end of the game, Haaland left the pitch visibly upset.

When asked about the incident, Guardiola responded, “Next question. I will not do a Mikel Arteta comment.” He referred to Arteta’s criticism of a decision in another game, saying, “It is hard when you review the image: the referee decides to blow the whistle after he has already said to play on. After the pass, the whistle, so I do not understand this action.”

Guardiola commented on Haaland’s reaction at the end of the game, saying, “It’s normal. His reaction was the same for 10 players. The rules are you cannot talk with the referees or fourth officials so we should have had 10 players sent off today. He’s a little bit disappointed. Even the referee, if he played for Man City today he would be disappointed for that action, that’s for sure.”

However, Guardiola refused to blame the decision for the draw. “I make mistakes, the players make mistakes. I don’t want to criticise him. On the touchline sometimes I lose my mind and my gestures are not proper but here normally for many years as a manager I’m not a guy when I’m refreshed [calm] to comment. But I would say we didn’t draw for that.”