The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Man City go 11 points clear after derby win
Premier league: United boss bemoans penalty decision and lack of luck
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 MANCHESTER CITY 2
Jose Mourinho complained about a penalty decision and bemoaned his side’s luck after United were beaten in yesterday’s derby by leaders City.
Goals at set-pieces from David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi, either side of a Marcus Rashford equaliser, proved enough for the Blues to triumph 2-1 at Old Trafford and extend their Premier League lead to 11 points.
United boss Mourinho felt his side should have had a penalty in the latter stages following a challenge by Otamendi on Ander Herrera but instead the United player was booked for diving.
City goalkeeper Ederson also made a fine double save in the closing moments from Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata.
Mourinho said: “You can speak about anything you want, you can bring any football theory, you can bring stats, ball possession, everything, but, like last season, it is a huge penalty in a crucial moment of the game.
“But I also feel sorry for (referee) Michael Oliver because I think he had a good game, assistants the same.
“When you see Manchester City play you expect them to score great goals, not to score two ‘disgraceful’ goals. They are the last goals you expect to concede against a quality team like Manchester City, two very bad goals – one corner, one free-kick with rebounds, incredibly lucky or unlucky depending on your perspective.”
City boss Pep Guardiola had no time for Mourinho’s complaints.
Guardiola said: “Last season it was the same, we won here and the comments were the referee. Today we have won and the comments are the same as well.
“We won because we were better in all departments. It is not easy to create chances at United because they are so strong defensively. It was an amazing save from Ederson but I think (David) De Gea had more saves. In the way we played we were better.”
● Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was also perplexed by a referee’s decision which earned Everton a 1-1 draw in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Referee Craig Pawson’s call to punish Dejan Lovren for needlessly pushing Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the back 13 minutes from time incensed Klopp. His side had been leading thanks to Mohamed Salah’s terrific first-half strike, only for Wayne Rooney to level things up from the spot.
Klopp remonstrated with Pawson after the final whistle and in his press conference afterwards Klopp asked journalists to raise their arms if they deemed it a spot-kick and the majority responded with a show of hands.
“Wow, then I’m really wrong,” he said. “I don’t think it was a penalty. Obviously you all think it was a penalty.
“In the last moment, for me, CalvertLewin makes a step in the way of Dejan Lovren. But he doesn’t push him, it’s just body contact. That’s how it was in midfield 60, 70 times. No free-kicks there.”
● Olivier Giroud came off the bench to rescue a point for Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at Southampton.
The French frontman struck two minutes from the end as Saints just failed to hang on to Charlie Austin’s early opener.