Pep Guardiola responds after Premier League statement on Man City controversy
John Stones scored a 95th minute winner at Molineux as the Premier League champions came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Wolves, with VAR intervening at the death to give them all three points
by Alex Richards · The MirrorPep Guardiola insisted it was only right that Manchester City's controversial winner at Wolves was given - and couldn't believe it had initially been disallowed.
England defender John Stones headed home a 95th minute winner at Molineux to hand City a 2-1 victory, as they came from behind in the West Midlands, leaving their hosts bottom of the table with just one point from eight games. Before Stones' intervention it had looked set to be a frustrating day for the champions, who had struggled to break down a resolute Wolves backline and had seen returning Wolves 'keeper Jose Sa in fine form.
But Stones' goal had initially been ruled out, with an offside given against Bernardo Silva. The Portugal international had been standing in front of Jose Sa when Phil Foden delivered his inswinging corner and after Stones had powered into the net - leading to jubilation among the visiting players and visiting - the assistant referee flagged for offside, much to the fury of Guardiola and his bench.
There was confusion in the stadium over how events unfolded. When it was announced that VAR were checking the goal, it was met with delight among the home support, who believed that Stones' header had initially been allowed to stand. As such, a loud roar went up, while Gary O'Neil celebrated in his technical area. The Wolves boss could be seen shouting at Guardiola and his coaching staff “he’s offside, he’s offside.”
The announcement in the stadium declared that the check was for an ‘Offside’, and the decision by VAR Stuart Attwell was made to send Chris Kavanagh to his monitor.
Kavanagh took a look and saw that as Foden delivered, Bernardo Silva was tussling with Wolves ‘keeper Jose Sa. The question was whether Bernardo was interfering with the Wolves stopper as Stones nodded into the roof of the net. Kavanagh - with the majority of the 22 outfield players and a number of substitutes watching just yards behind - took a couple of looks, turned, made the symbol that he’d checked the monitor and pointed to the centre spot.
A statement from the PGMOL duly declared: "Stones’ goal was disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s line of vision.
"The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and a goal was awarded."
Speaking post-match, Guardiola insisted that the referee had, eventually, made the correct decision.
He said: "Of course I didn't understand it. Linesman, I don't know the reason why he did it [disallow the goal].
"But Bernardo isn't disturbing the position. It was difficult in the first moment. Today in modern football they starve the keeper. In the moment what happened [Jose] Sa had the perfect vision. The taker from Phil [Foden] and the header [by John Stones] were magnificent."
Guardiola doubled down in his post-match press conference, insisting that the right decision was made.
Guardiola's assessment wasn't something that Wanderers' boss Gary O'Neil agreed with however. He told Sky Sports: "I am trying to remain calm. I have been involved in a few of those and not had many go in our favour so was expecting that outcome. There is some grey area that can go either way and once it was like that I wasn't confident it would go our way.
"It was similar to a goal [Wolves had disallowed] against West Ham last season. We sent an image to referees showing with proof that the West Ham keeper could see the ball, but the reason were given was the player was in close proximity. The same argument could be said here but we just have to accept it. I would rather not discuss it because it will still sound like I am making excuses. Whatever decision they make, I respect.
"We don't want to cross that line, but it did feel like a harsh one."
That's not something that match-winner Stones agreed with however. He stated: "I thought it had been chalked off. I tried to speak to the ref but he had a lot of people around him. For me it is the right call. Obviously I am going to be biased but I think it should stand."
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