Stop blaming referee, Guardiola blasts Mourinho
City won at Old Trafford for the second successive season on Sunday as goals from David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi clinched a 2-1 victory that moved the leaders 11 points clear of second-placed United.
United boss Mourinho claimed City were “lucky” because referee Michael Oliver failed to award a penalty for Otamendi’s challenge on Ander Herrera in the second half.
“Last season it was the same, we won here and it was the referee. Today as well. Yesterday he spoke about the referee,” Guardiola said.
“We are an honest team. We had 75 percent ball possession, which means we wanted to play. We came here and did that.”
City’s substantial lead at the top makes them firm favourites for the title.
But Guardiola isn’t getting carried away and warned his players to forget dreaming of silverware because surviving the hectic Christmas period won’t be easy.
“This win means a lot in the way we played for our confidence but in three days we go to Swansea in the winter time,” he said.
“We are going to face a lot of difficulties. In December it’s impossible to be champions but it’s good for us.”
While Guardiola was coy about City’s title bid, he didn’t miss a chance to take aim at the critics who doubted whether he would be able to succeed in England.
“The personality to play here is what I want. We can play this way in England. People said we couldn’t play the way we did in Barcelona in England but it is possible and we did it,” he said.
“I knew that last season. Always I believed we could do it. Everyone can play how they want, that’s why football is so beautiful.
“I’m happy to go to Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford and to beat them in this way.”
More Stories
OSIMHEN OUT OF NIGERIA’S SQUAD FOR AFCON QUALIFIERS (FULL LIST)
Victor Osimhen has been excluded from Nigeria’s squad for the doubleheader 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Libya....
‘FINALLY, THE NIGHTMARE IS OVER,’ POGBA EXPRESSES RELIEF AFTER DRUG BAN REDUCTION
French midfielder Paul Pogba expressed his relief on Friday after his doping ban was officially reduced from four years to...
SPORT: ASTON VILLA STUN BAYERN IN REPEAT OF 1982 EUROPEAN CUP FINAL
Aston Villa repeated their famous 1982 European Cup final win over Bayern Munich as Jhon Duran’s winner beat the German...
SENEGAL SACK AFCON-WINNING COACH ALIOU CISSE
Agency Report Senegal have decided to part company with coach Aliou Cisse, who led them to their Africa Cup of...
ATLETICO BAN FAN FOR LIFE AFTER REAL DERBY DISRUPTION
Atletico Madrid said on Monday they had permanently banned a fan for throwing objects onto the field during the weekend’s...
GALATASARAY BEMOANS OSIMHEN’S INJURY AS HE RACES FOR SUBSEQUENT MATCHES
Victor Osimhen's injury is a source of regret for Galatasaray Technical Director Okan Buruk, as the striker works to recover...