Furious Smith blasts officials after City’s ‘farcical’ opener
ASTON Villa boss Dean Smith angrily rounded on the officials after his side conceded twice late on to lose 2-0 at Manchester City.
Smith was shown a red card for his protestations after Bernardo Silva put City on course for their sixth successive Premier League win by breaking the deadlock 11 minutes from time.
Villa were furious that Rodri appeared to be running back from an offside position when he dispossessed Tyrone Mings to set up Silva for the breakthrough goal.
Smith was also far from happy about the last-minute penalty, awarded for handball against Matty Cash, that led to Ilkay Gundogan wrapping up the victory.
Smith said of City’s opener: “It was a farcical decision. I’ve not seen a goal like that given. It needs to be looked at. I don’t think anyone in this stadium thought it was a goal.
“Are we just going to leave players behind the line then? It’s farcical. He was 10 yards offside and came back and tackled our player, it’s a pathetic law and a pathetic decision.”
After the match, the PGMOL issued a statement explaining that, by the letter of the law, Rodri had not gained an advantage.
The statement read: “Rodri was initially standing in an offside position as the ball was played upfield.
“Tyrone Mings deliberately played the ball, controlling it on his chest. As soon as Mings deliberately played the ball the following Law applies: ‘A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not considered to have gained an advantage, unless it was a deliberate save by any opponent’.
“As the Law deems that Rodri has not gained an advantage, he has not committed an offside offence and play should be allowed to continue. Rodri legitimately took possession of the ball from Mings, starting the attack which resulted in the goal.”
Smith revealed that, amid his anger on the touchline, he was shown a yellow card by referee Jon Moss for asking fourth official David Coote “if he got juggling balls for Christmas”. This was swiftly followed by a red card for something else Smith said.
Smith said: “It wasn’t swear words. (Moss) came over and said he was interpreting the laws of the game. I said, ‘Well, you should have done that earlier in the game’. I think I got treated rather unfairly.”
Until the late drama, Villa had acquitted themselves well on their return to action after a Covid-19 outbreak at the club but it was mostly a tale of their defence against City’s attack.
“It was a heroic performance in terms of energy and commitment but we didn’t show enough quality,” Smith said.
City manager Pep Guardiola did not have a strong opinion on his side’s controversial opener.
Guardiola said: “I didn’t watch on TV. I know they complained on the touchline but VAR is there. I don’t know exactly the rule but if it was offside I am pretty sure the goal would have been disallowed. In general the game we played was outstanding and we deserved to win.”
The result further underlined City’s growing title credentials and they are now unbeaten in 16 matches in all competitions.
Guardiola said: “We’ve lost just two games this season and the most important thing for me is the fact we are back to playing the way we have to play to be contenders. Everyone wants to win and be champions but you have to show, in the way you play, that you deserve to be champions.”
The downside for City was the withdrawal of Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker with injuries.
MAN CITY: Ederson, Walker (Zinchenko 28mins), Stones, Dias, Cancelo, De Bruyne (Jesus 59mins), Rodri, Gundogan, Sterling (Mahrez 72mins), Silva, Foden. Subs not used: Steffen, Torres, Mendy, Fernandinho, Garcia, Bernabe.
ASTON VILLA: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett (Taylor 75mins), Luiz, Mcginn, Traore (El Ghazi 68mins), Barkley (Ramsey 68mins), Grealish, Watkins. Subs not used: Heaton, Nakamba, Engels, Guilbert, El Mohamady, Davis.
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Man of the match: Gundogan
Match rating: 6/10