What should have been a celebratory evening at the Etihad Stadium turned into a media storm. Despite Manchester City’s crucial Premier League victory over Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola’s post-match comments stole the spotlight — and not in a good way.

Guardiola Explodes Over Refereeing

The Spanish coach was visibly frustrated after the match, claiming referee Anthony Taylor missed a clear foul on Gianluigi Donnarumma in the build-up to Bournemouth’s equalizer.

“David Brooks pulled Gigi’s arm down, leaving him unbalanced. I told Anthony Taylor that when we meet again, he should tell me if that’s not a foul. They’re brave here — at the Etihad, they’re very brave,” Guardiola said sarcastically after the final whistle.

But his frustration didn’t stop there. Guardiola broadened his criticism to suggest a long-standing bias against City.

“I’ve been here ten years — I know all the referees perfectly well. I know what happens in this stadium,” he added pointedly.

Iraola Fires Back

Bournemouth’s manager Andoni Iraola responded calmly but firmly, defending his team and the legitimacy of the goal.

“They’re not calling those fouls anymore. We press the goalkeeper because that’s what other teams do. Goals from corners often come from similar situations — today’s wasn’t even the worst,” Iraola told the BBC.

Debate in England

City’s 3–1 win keeps them firmly in the title race, but Guardiola’s words have overshadowed the result. British media outlets are divided — some accuse the Catalan of crossing the line, while others see it as a calculated move to influence referees ahead of future matches.

Either way, the focus has shifted from the victory to the controversy. Pep Guardiola, one of the Premier League’s most decorated managers, once again finds himself at the center of a refereeing storm — a reminder that, even in triumph, drama is never far away from Manchester City.