Pep Guardiola has spoken out about his Manchester City stars arguing over who should take their penalty on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola has revealed that he wanted Erling Haaland to take Manchester City’s penalty against Aston Villa rather than Riyad Mahrez.
City moved within just three points of league leaders Arsenal on Sunday, convincingly beating Aston Villa 3-1. The victory for Guardiola’s side adds further intensity to the clash between the two teams on Wednesday night, with a victory meaning his team can finally return to the top of the table.
Rodri thundered home a header after just four minutes at the Etihad Stadium to give the home side the lead before Ilkay Gundogan continued his good form against Villa in the 39th minute.
Jack Grealish then won a penalty against his former side on the cusp of halftime, and several stars stepped forward in hope of adding to their respective goal tallies. Rodri, Haaland and Mahrez were all hopeful of taking the spot kick before captain Gundogan intervened to rule that the latter would step up.
Pep Guardiola was not happy that his instructions were ignored (Image: Football Daily)
The former Leicester City star coolly sent Martinez the wrong way, though Guardiola has announced that he would rather Haaland had stepped up.
Speaking after the match, he said: “I like when people want to take penalties but always there is one that is the main one and that is Erling.”
Asked about what he made of the situation by Sky Sports, the former Barcelona boss continued: “I don’t know. I need to talk to them. Usually, Erling [Haaland] is the first taker, Riyad [Mahrez] is the second one, Rodri was involved. I saw it from the touchline so we will see what they say tomorrow.”
Erling Haaland was pleased that Riyad Mahrez converted (Image: Getty)
Haaland has scored four penalties in the Premier League so far this season and would have taken his tally for the campaign to 26 if he was able to replicate the feat of Mahrez from the penalty spot. In contrast, Rodri has taken just one penalty in his City career, stepping up against Tottenham in the 2020/21 season. However, the Spaniard revealed that he was confident that he would be able to replicate that success against Villa.
“I just asked because I was filled with confidence in that moment,” the Spaniard said. “But I understand and accept the decision. I don’t know [if Erling Haaland should have taken it], it depends on the coach who decides before the game, and it was Riyad. We have good shooters even though we have been very light this season with penalties, but it is something we have to be ready to go because it can make the difference sometimes.”
Gary Neville told off after making Manchester City jibe live on TV after Aston Villa win
Gary Neville joked at Manchester City after their victory over Aston Villa.
Manchester United icon Gary Neville was told off for making a jibe at Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday. In their first game since being charged by the Premier League for allegedly breaking Financial Fair Play rules, goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez sealed all three points ahead of their crucial midweek showdown against Arsenal.
As Sky Sports host Kelly Cates was informing viewers at the end of the show following Manchester City’s victory that they could watch the broadcaster’s documentary on the spell that City spent in the lower divisions before their present-day riches came along.
Cates described the ‘We’re Not Really Here’ City documentary before Neville interrupted and said: “Might not be in a few years…” In regards to the ongoing investigation from the Premier League which could have serious ramifications if the club are found to have been guilty of the over 100 alleged offences.
The host was frustrated with Neville and said “We nearly got through it Gary,” in response to the former United defender interrupting her outro, while ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards was equally unhappy.
Gary Neville was told off for making a joke regarding Manchester City. (Image: Sky Sports)
Neville hit back at his colleague: “I’m only joking Micah, relax, you can’t joke anymore,” though Neville had to be reminded that he was not able to pre-judge the outcome of any Premier League investigation live on Sky.
As Cates signed off the show, she said: “Can’t pre-judge the outcome of any investigation as you well now, it does focus on their season in the second and third tier of English football back in 1999 if you want to follow that. From all of us here, I think it’s probably best we go, don’t you?”
Gary Neville was told off after interrupting Kelly Cates. (Image: Sky Sports)
Earlier in the show Neville gave this view on the Premier League’s case against City and admitted he was “nervous” after several of the charges were amended. “Well he’s gone on the front foot, which is what I think Manchester City fans would want to see and certainly I suppose the people above him who have been in charge over the last 10 years,” Neville said after Guardiola responded strongly in his pre-match press conference.
“They’ve got a major fight on their hands, and there’s going to be a major loser here. The Premier League are going to be found to be incompetent if they can’t land the charges, and obviously if they do land the charges on Manchester City then it’s going to obviously tarnish the last 10 years for many people – particularly clubs who’ve been fighting that sort of, if you like, fight against them.
“I have to say that – I come at it from two different ways – if they broke the rules they should get the book thrown at them and that will happen, but if they haven’t then the Premier League, four years it’s taken them, I’m a little bit nervous about the Premier League’s defence in the sense that this morning they’ve had six of the charges changed, I think it’s come out in the papers because they’ve got the wrong years, which is really sloppy having been investigating it for four years.”
Source: express.co.uk
