Manchester City’s title race is heating up, and emotions are running high.
After a 2-2 draw with Tottenham, City midfielder Rodri didn’t hold back, claiming refereeing decisions are stacked against his team.
He suggested that the club’s illustrious history is influencing officials, leaving City at a disadvantage in their quest to chase down Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.
“They Don’t Want Us to Win”
Rodri, visibly frustrated, argued that a string of controversial calls has gone against City in recent matches.
His anger boiled over after Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke scored during the North London clash, despite making contact with Marc Guehi.
VAR reviewed the goal for a possible offside and a foul but ultimately allowed it to stand.
Rodri said: “He’s kicked the leg — it’s so clear. He anticipated Marc, and it’s a clear foul.
But it’s not today, it’s two or three games in a row, and I honestly don’t know why.
I know we won too much, and people don’t want us to win. The referee has to be neutral. For me, it’s not fair. It’s not fair.”
Guardiola Shares His Frustration
Manager Pep Guardiola echoed Rodri’s sentiments, pointing to what he sees as inconsistencies in officiating that have hurt City in key moments.
Guardiola noted that if a similar challenge had happened to a striker, a penalty would have been awarded.
“Marc has the ball, he’s been kicked from behind, and it’s a goal. So what can I say? Nothing. One more.
If you do it to a striker, it would be a penalty. I’m not a referee. Fascinating in the Premier League,” Guardiola said.
The City boss also highlighted the emotional swing of the game following Solanke’s incredible scorpion-kick equaliser, suggesting that the referee’s decisions disrupted the team’s momentum.
Guardiola recently faced a suspension for an FA Cup match due to accumulated yellow cards but insisted City’s captain Bernardo Silva’s hamstring issue is minor ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Newcastle.
Tottenham Manager Sees It Differently
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank took a more measured view of the controversial goal.
He acknowledged the contact but described the decision as “in the grey area” and welcomed Solanke back from injury, noting his impressive four goals in four games despite limited fitness.
“Dom clearly struggled to run at the end. We knew it would be a big push to play 90 minutes, he’s not there fitness-wise.
But it’s four goals in four games at 80 percent fitness. Dom was excellent,” Frank said.
Frank also confirmed that captain Cristian Romero had to leave at half-time due to illness that affected him during Tottenham’s midweek victory in Frankfurt.
City’s Title Hopes Under Pressure
The draw with Spurs leaves Manchester City just one win from their last six games, trailing Arsenal by six points with 14 matches remaining.
As the title race intensifies, both Rodri and Guardiola are openly expressing concerns about officiating — a frustration City fans will hope doesn’t derail their Premier League ambitions.
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