PEP: DON’T LOOK BACK IN ANGER City manager defends side in celebration row
PEP GUARDIOLA says his players have nothing to be ashamed of despite Jose Mourinho’s insults that Manchester City’s celebrations were due to “poor behaviour and education”.
Guardiola admitted he encouraged City’s post-match celebrations, which included playing his favourite Oasis songs at high volume, but they were not excessive.
He said Manchester United would have been just as exuberant had they won such an important Premier League game. Up
to 20 players and coaching staff were alleged to have been involved in the fracas, which took place when Mourinho put his head round the City dressing room door after the match and had an angry exchange with keeper Ederson. “Believe me, the celebrations were not too much. It was correct,” said Guardiola. “We hugged, we jumped because we were happy.”
Mourinho said: “For me it was just a question of diversity – diversity in behaviours, of opinion, of education, just that and nothing more than that.”
And he insisted Romelu Lukaku – who is alleged to have thrown a water bottle in the rumpus – was innocent: “Accuse? Prove? Show evidence and punish him.” Asked if his players have behaved correctly he said: “I am not confident – I know.”
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino joked the ‘Tunnel Club’ at Spurs’ new stadium, where fans will be able to watch the teams come in and out, will need blackedout windows in the wake of the fracas. Pochettino said: “Maybe we will paint it black! Or maybe have curtains and you have to pay double to have the curtains open!”