Pep Guardiola gave an answer laced in sarcasm when discussing Erling Haaland's disallowed goal in Manchester City's win at Tottenham on Wednesday night.
Haaland had scored to put City on the verge of a very useful win, and thought he had sealed victory in second half injury time when he bundled through in the area and slotted home. But referee Jarred Gillett awarded a foul to Tottenham for handball against Haaland as he and Kevin Danso battled to bring the ball down.
There was confusion as a lengthy VAR review appeared to suggest there was no conclusive evidence that Haaland handled it, but Gillett stuck with his original decision to frustration from the striker at full-time.
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Haaland told TNT Sports that he felt it was 'more a penalty' against Danso than handball against himself, while the Premier League posted that 'the referee’s call of no goal for a handball by Haaland was checked and confirmed by VAR – with no conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field decision.'
Guardiola offered a sarcastic response to the incident, saying the referee was 'clever' for seeing the handball quickly when the VAR took so long without offering a conclusive answer.
"I didn't see it, but the referee was quicker to disallow than VAR. The referee was clever," he said with a smile. "He should give us a little more time to enjoy the goal. We won so it doesn't matter but I don't know. I didn't see it on TV.
"It was not clear [handball]. If it happens there are a lot of doubts. If VAR took the time it's because there was a lot of doubts that the referee didn't have."
Haaland's verdict on the decision was more opinionated, saying: "I think the disallowed goal is the wrong decision clearly. I think it’s more of a penalty… I never think that should be disallowed! I think it’s completely wrong, but that’s me. It was a great goal, though.”
