Pellegrini vents fury for defeat by Spurs on Clattenburg
MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini expressed his frustration with referee Mark Clattenburg after his side’s controversial defeat by title rivals Tottenham.
Spurs benefited from a dubious penalty decision as they won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in a highly-charged Barclays Premier League contest.
Harry Kane opened the scoring from the spot after Raheem Sterling was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball as he turned his back to block a cross from Danny Rose. It was the second time this season Clattenburg had frustrated City in a game against Spurs. In September he made two controversial offside decisions in City’s 4-1 loss at White Hart Lane.
Pellegrini said at his post-match press conference: “More important than my view of penalty is that everyone saw what happened. Unfortunately for us it was the same referee, Clattenburg, as when we lost against Tottenham in the first round with two clear goals offside. It was a penalty that was decisive for the game. I don’t have nothing more to say.”
Asked why he approached the fourth official after the game, Pellegrini said: “Just to congratulate the referee – about the decision.”
When asked about the appointment of Clattenburg, Pellegrini said: “For me I don’t think it is a good decision to have the same referee, but I don’t want to talk any more about that.” Pellegrini was pressed further on the matter but he would only comment: “I am finished with the referee.”
City recovered after conceding the penalty to level through substitute Kelechi Iheanacho but Spurs snatched victory with an 83rd-minute winner from Christian Eriksen. Pellegrini said: “I don’t want to just talk about the decisions. It was a very close game, a very good game. We made a mistake for the second goal. But that moment, when the referee whistled for a penalty, was a very important moment, we were playing well.”
The result lifted Spurs to within two points of leaders Leicester and left City fourth, still six points off the top in a compelling title race.
It means Spurs are in a great position from which to challenge for a first title since 1961. Manager Mauricio Pochettino said: “We are now in a good position in the table but is too early to start to speak about the title.”