Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola refused to blame the referees after his side were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United in their Premier League match on Saturday, despite many controversial moments.
Guardiola and his staff stood up to demand a penalty for a first-half challenge on Phil Foden, and Newcastle’s winning goal was the subject of a lengthy review due to a number of possible fouls in the build-up before it was allowed to stand.
«It is what it is after the VAR decided. They know it perfectly,» Guardiola told the newspaper BBCadding that he had “no questions” despite speaking to the referee after the final whistle.
Both sides missed many chances in the opening 45 minutes, with all the goals coming between the 63rd and 70th minute, when Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes struck twice either side during Ruben Dias’ equalizer for City.
“Both goalkeepers were good and then we missed opportunities,” Guardiola said. “It was an entertaining match with many chances, we were closer in the beginning.”
The defeat denied City the chance to close the gap on Arsenal, who sit at the top of the table with 26 points, while City are now third with 22 points after playing one more game.
“Newcastle are a top team, top players and top manager, so unfortunately tonight we couldn’t use the momentum we had,” Guardiola said.
“It was an entertaining game, we both had chances and then there was a momentum shift and in the end we couldn’t win.”
For 14th-placed Newcastle goalscorer Barnes, a rare win over City was just what the club needed after a slow start to the season. “Hopefully after today’s result we can get going and make a good run,” he told the club BBC.
Published on November 23, 2025
