Manchester Metropolis’s contentious last-minute winner in opposition to Wolves within the Premier League on Sunday was each accurately dominated and deserved reward for his gamers’ persistence, supervisor Pep Guardiola stated.
With Metropolis seemingly heading to a irritating 1-1 draw at Molineux regardless of their dominance of possession, John Stones headed a Ninety fifth-minute nook previous Wolves goalkeeper José Sá.
Referee Chris Kavanagh first disallowed the objective as Metropolis midfielder Bernardo Silva was near Sa, however the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) deemed he was not blocking the road of imaginative and prescient and Kavanagh rescinded his choice.
“Bernardo is not disturbing the place … Sá had the proper imaginative and prescient. The taker from Phil [Foden] and the header had been magnificent,” stated Guardiola, who wildly celebrated the 2-1 win that briefly put Metropolis prime of the league till Liverpool earned a 2-1 win in opposition to Chelsea.
“We’re not used to successful video games on the finish, like [former manager] Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool the place it occurred many instances. It’s a good flavour for us,” Guardiola added.
Metropolis had 78% possession in opposition to a Wolves aspect combating for his or her lives on the backside of the desk and determined to hold on as soon as that they had taken an early lead.
“With 11 gamers within the penalty spot, actually it’s so troublesome,” Guardiola stated, recalling that his staff had misplaced at Molineux final season. “However we had been affected person … We’re who we’re and that’s so good.”
He was, nevertheless, sympathetic to his opponents.
“We now have been in that place, whenever you lose on the finish. However that is the sport,” Guardiola stated. “We performed the best way we need to play and it’s a pleasure to be right here, to attain within the final 50 seconds and go prime of the league.”
With Sparta Prague up subsequent within the Champions League on Wednesday, Guardiola stated he didn’t suppose injured defender Kyle Walker or midfielder Kevin de Bruyne could be prepared.
“We now have just a few days’ coaching, however do not suppose so,” he stated.
Match-winner Stones, who additionally scored an important last-minute equaliser in opposition to Arsenal final month, was thrilled along with his headed objective from a nook and stated the staff had been working arduous on set items.
“Hopefully that is the beginning of many extra. It’s a important a part of the sport at each ends of the pitch and actually pleasing for me personally to get the winner after such a troublesome sport,” he stated.
“I believed it had been chalked off. I attempted to talk to the ref however he had lots of people round him. For me it’s the proper name. Clearly I’m going to be biased however I believed it ought to stand.”
