Officials dealt perfectly with Pep’s protest

PEP GUARDIOLA became the first Premier League manager to receive a yellow card. It came after Joe Gomez and David Silva had gone for a bouncing ball, with the City player left in agony on the floor. Nothing was given by referee Martin Atkinson. The challenge was worthy of a free-kick in the Premier League, but in UEFA matches it might have resulted in a yellow for dangerous play. Guardiola clearly felt Gomez's challenge warranted a card. He mimicked a high foot to fourth official Stuart Attwell. The reaction of the City manager was not acceptable and this was an example of a referee giving a manager a final warning before potentially sending him to the stands. Four yellow cards for a manager will lead to a one-match touchline ban this season. Luckily for the Manchester City boss, the Community Shield is not considered a 'competitive fixture'. Later, as Gini Wijnaldum struck his penalty in the shootout, City keeper Claudio Bravo pushed off his line to save. He may have moved forwards just before the ball was struck, but he was not penalised. VAR will allow a degree of tolerance in such circumstances this season.