Entertainer Pep reigns in Spain
MANCHESTER CITY have become the club for Britain’s Spanish population – especially those from Catalonia.
The reason, of course, is manager Pep Guardiola (right).
They love him in his home country because of the exciting style of football he has his teams playing.
Spaniards living in England are clamouring for tickets to see Guardiola’s Premier League champions play.
I was staggered at the number of them travelling by train from London last Sunday for the City-Huddersfield match – and they were rewarded with a six-goal special.
PEP GUARDIOLA was happy to hand it to the hosts after the final whistle – despite Willy Boly’s disputed goal.
The Spaniard paid tribute to Nuno Espirito Santo’s Premier League new boys, even though they profited from a strike that should never have been.
Guardiola refused to bellyache – swerving any arguments about VAR too, after both teams made their point.
He was out-voted on the issue last season – shouted down by others after a vote.
And he was not about to revisit the subject even though he was on the wrong end of referee Martin Atkinson’s decision when Boly’s 57th-minute effort – that clearly deflected into the net off his arm – was wiped out by Aymeric Laporte’s thumping header.
Instead Guardiola chose to highlight the value of a point at a club that truly is re-awakening under Santo’s leadership.
He said: “We knew the quality of our opponents – this is a good point for us.
“I don’t like playing teams who have been promoted, so early in the season. They are full of enthusiasm – I prefer to play them in November or December.
“They were well organised. It was a game we expected.
“We created a lot of chances. I know chances don’t count. And there was a lack of rhythm. We didn’t defend their counter-attacks well. “But overall I’m satisfied.” Manchester City’s boss did have reason to gripe – he walked on to the Molineux pitch to have a few words with the match official after the final whistle – but would not be drawn himself in public.
Asked about Boly’s effort – the ball was sent past visitors’ keeper Ederson after an illegal deflection – he snapped: “I didn’t see it. I’m not the referee.” Pressed on his views on the use of television replays in decision-making, he replied: “I don’t work in the Premier League.”
However, he too had reason to be pleased, despite the fact that it took a header by a defender from a set-piece to find the equaliser.
Three times the woodwork was tested. Sergio Aguero fired against the foot of the post in the first decisive action of the match.
Then, Wolves keeper Rui Patricio pulled off a magnificent right-hand stop to prevent Raheem Sterling from claiming a swerving 25-yarder. And in the final seconds Aguero clipped a free-kick against the crossbar.
But that description paints an unfair picture.
Wolves played a full part.
A packed Molineux stayed patient while Nuno’s game-plan unfolded.