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TUESDAY | FEB 3, 2026

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‘Have you seen it?’ Guardiola fumes over decision not to overturn Spurs’ first goal as City drop valuable points

Relentless Alcaraz

- Story on page 28

Spurs’ Dominic Solanke (centre) scores their first goal past City goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma as Pep Guardiola (top right) speaks with referee Robert Jones after yesterday’s Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. – REUTERSPIC

Real escape

- Story on page 29

P EP GUARDIOLA was visibly irate with the referee’s decision not to overturn Tottenham’s first goal for a foul on Marc Guehi as Manchester City sur rendered a two-goal lead to drop valuable points in north London. City were cruising at half-time with Spurs’ spirit badly bruised, leading thanks to goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo. After the break, however, the hosts found a way back into the game out of almost nothing, with Dominic Solanke forcing the ball over the line in the 53rd minute to half the deficit. The goal was not without contention, with Solanke appearing to kick through the back of Guehi’s leg to score, but VAR did not intervene. When asked by Sky Sports what he thought of the officiating, Guardiola was reluctant to answer and instead questioned the inter viewer on whether he thought it was a foul. “Once again… Have you seen it? Nothing,” he said, before appearing on the verge of walk ing out of the interview. “It’s happened once again. What can I say? Marc has the ball, he’s been kicked from behind, and it’s a goal. Nothing. One more.” Speaking to BBC Sport , Guardiola added: “Well, if you do it to a striker it would be a pen alty. I’m not a referee. Fascinating in the Premier League.” The Premier League Match Centre explained the decision by deeming that Solanke had played the ball, accrediting the

team and a group you need to fight. You can never give up. “I love that never-say-die attitude from the players and the fans were massive for us. The mentality is building stronger and stronger.” While Tottenham sit 14th in the Premier League, they are now unbeaten in four matches in all competitions and have advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League. The fit-again Solanke’s return of four goals in four starts following his recovery from a recurring ankle issue has also eased the pres sure on Frank, whose position at the club has been under significant scrutiny. “I prefer it going more smooth, I think that is fair to say, but this is football,” said Frank. “In this spell I think we have done more good things than bad things, but not enough performances have turned into results. Now I am happy we have four decent performances and are unbeaten. “It was a big point with that second-half performance. The players’ mentality has been good throughout. “It is quite evident that Dom has been a big miss for us. We’ve been without him for six months and now we have him back. “Four goals in four games speaks its own language. He was very impressive and he is not fit yet. “You could see in the last 15 minutes he could not run.” – The Independent/Agencies

goal to the Spurs striker rather than ruling as a Guehi own goal. The goal sparked a comeback from Spurs that saw them hold City to an unlikely draw, with Guardiola’s failing to keep pace with Premier League leaders Arsenal in the title race. The Cityzens now sit six points adrift of the Gunners, but Guardiola is insistent that this is not the decisive blow in their season. He said: “We are playing in a high, high level. Of course we don’t have the consistency to win the games. But 14 games, a lot of points to play for. Onto the next one.” Dissent was in the air with City in total con trol at half-time in London but by the time Solanke registered his second goal of the game with a wonderfully improvised scorpion kick, any possibility of a mass walkout had been averted. Instead of concluding to half-empty stands, Oh when the Spurs go marching in reverber ated around the ground at full-time in com plete contrast to the chorus of boos only 60 minutes earlier. “We can create something magic together – the players and the fans – when we are united like we were, especially second half but also the Dortmund game,” Frank told BBC Sport . “That atmosphere, intensity – that’s what pushed the players and they really needed it. “What I like and what I think is truly impor tant is when your back is against the wall as a

‘Fergie Time’ is back

- Story on page 30

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