Pep says sorry for gesture at Dyche

PEP GUARDIOLA apologised after a heated exchange with Burnley boss Sean Dyche led to the Manchester City manager theatrically gesturing to his opposite number to be silent.

The flashpoint occurred after 56 minutes when Sergio Aguero equalised from Ilkay Gundogan’s quickly-taken freekick while Burnley stood like statues waiting for the referee Graham Scott to blow his whistle.

Dyche (above), who had been in the officials’ ears all day, vented his fury. ‘I had a right to be aggrieved,’ he said.

Guardiola leapt towards him and performed some quick hand signals around his lips

that made it clear he thought the Burnley manager was talking too much (top).

Fourth official Andy Haynes moved forward to make sure the trouble was cut off at source and Guardiola said: ‘I am sorry. I apologise, I didn’t want to get out of control, I said “Leave the referees please”.

‘I have a lot of respect for what he [Dyche] does. The way he plays is completely different to how we want to play. But they do it perfectly and that is why football is top.

‘I think all the managers around the world have to be in control. If they were offended, I am sorry.’

Dyche seemed unfazed by Guardiola’s antics, though he wasn’t happy that Scott had allowed the kick to be taken when Ashley Westwood was only five yards away and unprepared for Aguero to run in the space behind him.

‘There has to be a common sense moment,’ said Dyche, who didn’t blame himself or Guardiola for being expressive.

‘You both want to win, that’s how it should be. Everyone is allowed to be passionate,’ he said. ‘It could be a sign of respect towards us.’