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PEP GUARDIOLA ISSUES FORMAL APOLOGY TO REFEREE FARAI HALLAM BEFORE GALATASARAY CLASH
Pep Guardiola apologises to debutant ref Farai Hallam but insists Howard Webb must explain the "handball" no-call vs Wolves.
Pep Guardiola has apologised for his comments about referee Farai Hallam after Manchester City’s win over Wolves, but he’s not backing down from defending his club.
Guardiola was fired up after the match, especially about a penalty that never came. City beat Wolves 2-0 at the Etihad, closing the gap on Arsenal, but Guardiola was still fuming about Hallam’s call. Hallam, officiating his first-ever Premier League match, chose not to give City a penalty for what looked like a handball by Yerson Mosquera. Even after VAR sent him over to the monitor, Hallam stuck with his original decision. That set Guardiola off.
Tony Cascarino even called out Guardiola for his behaviour after full-time, saying, “Don’t abuse your power!” The penalty no-call became the big talking point, especially in Guardiola’s press conference. He said he’d be waiting for a call from Howard Webb, the head of referees, for some answers.
Now, ahead of City’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray, Guardiola has offered an apology to Hallam. He told reporters, “They defend each other, and that’s normal. But I have to defend my club. Last season was the worst in ten years, and how many times did I criticise referees? If Hallam’s offended, I’m sorry. It’s not easy on your debut. Everyone’s sensitive these days; I get that.”
Still, Guardiola kept pushing for accountability from Webb. “In ten years, I’ve never criticised referees. This season, I’m just giving the reasons why. I have to stand up for my club and my players. Howard Webb stands up for the referees, as he should. But look at what happens in the box during corners and free kicks—every action is a foul now. It’s tough, but I have to look out for my team.”
Hallam, meanwhile, goes back to officiating in the EFL this weekend, following protocol for refs making the jump to the Premier League. Instead of another top-flight game, he’ll be in charge of Stoke vs. Southampton in the Championship.
Back to Guardiola—after Saturday’s game, he didn’t hold back. “The referee had a big debut—now everyone knows him,” he said. “It’s the first time they go to the TV screen and overturn what’s a normal position of the arms. I’m sure Howard Webb will be on TV tomorrow explaining why it’s not a penalty, just like after the United game when there was some doubt. That’s why Jeremy Doku couldn’t play in Norway after what happened with Diogo Dalot. But fine, I’ll wait for the explanation. Don’t wait for Wednesday—Champions League is coming up, and we’re busy. Howard Webb, just explain it tomorrow.”
Speaking of Dalot, he escaped a red card for a reckless challenge on Doku during the Manchester derby earlier this month. Webb later went on ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’ and broke down the decision, saying it was just glancing contact and that Dalot tried to play the ball. VAR agreed and let referee Anthony Taylor’s call stand.
TRANSFER SHOCKER: JAMES TRAFFORD REACTS TO GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA’S SUDDEN DEADLINE DAY ARRIVAL
James Trafford opens up on losing his Man City spot to Donnarumma. Get the latest on his England World Cup hopes and future goals.
James Trafford says he was pretty surprised when Manchester City brought in Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Trafford had just come back to City for £27 million after turning down Newcastle, and it looked like he’d finally landed the number one spot, especially with Ederson on his way out. Pep Guardiola seemed ready to trust him long-term.
But then things shifted. Trafford started the first three league games, but on deadline day, City snapped up Donnarumma from PSG. Since then, the Italian’s been the first choice, and Trafford’s mostly found himself playing in the domestic cups.
“I didn’t see it coming, but that’s football,” Trafford said. “Stuff happens. You keep working hard, and when you get the chance to play, you give it everything.”
He’s still in the early days of a five-year contract, less than a year in, but with the way things are, Trafford doesn’t know what’s next.
“I’m just taking it day by day, working hard, and whatever happens, happens,” he said after playing in City’s FA Cup win over Salford. “I’ve got a contract, but I don’t know what next season brings. All I can do is keep trying to get better.”
Not playing regularly could hurt his shot at making England’s squad for the World Cup, and Trafford knows it.
“Everyone knows my situation,” he said. “When I play, I’ve just got to play as well as I can.”
He insists there’s no friction with Donnarumma. “He’s a great guy, honestly. We both train hard and push ourselves. He’s already had a fantastic career and sets really high standards.”
Some people struggle with setbacks like this, but Trafford just gets on with it. “I try as hard as I can and focus on what I can control.”
On the bright side, he’s been part of City’s run to the Carabao Cup final, and, unless something goes wrong, he’ll get his chance at Wembley against Arsenal next month.
“That’ll be a great game,” he said. “All I can do is play my part, help the team, and stick to the plan.”
LEGEND STATUS: ERLING HAALAND EQUALS COLIN BELL’S GOAL RECORD IN FULHAM STROLL TODAY
Erling Haaland equals Colin Bell's scoring record as Man City beat Fulham 3-0. Read how Pep’s side closed the gap on Arsenal.
Erling Haaland climbed to joint-fourth on Manchester City’s all-time scoring chart, tying with Colin Bell, as Pep Guardiola’s team brushed aside Fulham 3-0 and closed the gap on Arsenal.
Haaland’s 153rd goal for City came in a match that felt easy for the home side. They barely broke a sweat at the Etihad on Wednesday, cutting Arsenal’s Premier League lead to just three points.
Antoine Semenyo struck first, keeping his hot streak alive, and Nico O’Reilly added another in a match that was basically one-way traffic, with rain pouring down all night.
City did all their damage before halftime. Job done, Haaland didn’t even bother coming out for the second half.
After struggling for a bit, Haaland seemed to snap back into form with a clutch penalty winner at Liverpool on Sunday. Maybe that’s the spark he needed.
Matching Bell’s tally is no small feat—especially considering Haaland’s done it in just 183 games, while Bell had 492.
Honestly, this game was a walk in the park for City. In the last meeting at Craven Cottage, City led 5-1 after 57 minutes but almost let Fulham back in, scraping by 5-4. This time, there wasn’t even a hint of drama.
Fulham made it easy, coughing up possession over and over and giving City every chance to attack.
You could tell a goal was coming. Phil Foden, starting after a spell on the bench, nearly scored twice early on. O’Reilly wasn’t far off either.
The breakthrough came 24 minutes in. Matheus Nunes whipped in a cross from the right, Haaland nodded it down, and Semenyo slid in to poke it past Bernd Leno.
That was Semenyo’s fifth goal in eight games for City, and his third against Fulham this season; he’d already scored twice against them for Bournemouth back in October.
Fulham did get a sniff at goal when Harry Wilson forced a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, but City hit right back. Haaland got clipped by Joachim Andersen on a counter, but Semenyo kept going and slipped in O’Reilly, who coolly chipped Leno for 2-0.
City’s third came after Fulham gave the ball away yet again. Rayan Ait-Nouri found Foden, Foden passed to Haaland at the edge of the box, and Haaland buried it in the bottom corner for his first league goal from open play since December.
There was a quick VAR check for a possible penalty, with Semenyo claiming his hair got pulled, but nothing came of it.
City eased off after the break. Fulham tried to respond, and Wilson had a lively run, but it fizzled out.
Even with City playing in second gear, Fulham couldn’t get anything going.
Foden tried his luck from a distance but didn’t really trouble Leno, and Josh King forced a late save from Donnarumma, but that was about it.
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