Newcastle 2-1 Man City: Ruben Dias fumes over Harvey Barnes’ push on Gianluigi Donnarumma who goes unpunished for winning goal | Football news

Ruben Dias was furious at the decision not to punish Harvey Barnes’ pressure on Gianluigi Donnarumma in the build-up to Newcastle’s winner against Manchester City – asking officials to “make sense”.

With the score 1-1, Barnes scored his second goal of the match from close range after a corner was initially cleared.

But in the initial free-kick, Barnes was seen pushing Donnarumma out of his goal, leading to a nervous moment for the City keeper.

When Barnes’ goal was scored, Donnarumma charged referee Sam Barrott and despite a few VAR checks for offside, the goal was allowed to stand.

Asked about the decision after the match, City defender Dias said Aerial sports: “Of all the decisions, only the second objective – I think we have to give it meaning.

“Because where is the feeling that their player is pushing our goalkeeper out of the goal? What are we allowing and for how long?

“Sometimes you allow it, sometimes you don’t. Where is the rule? What can you really do?

“The second goal, Gigio is in his place, he is sent off. And there are no consequences. It’s allowed. I had the chance to see him again, I didn’t even realize it on the pitch.

“I thought it was weird that he wasn’t in position, so we knew straight away something was wrong. But I managed to see the review and it’s Barnes pushing him away from the goal. We’re so picky with certain contacts, but one like this with the goalkeeper, will you allow it? That’s the way it is. If that’s the rule, fine. But let’s do the same.

“At the time it was a foul. Now apparently it’s allowed. People will say I’m making excuses, but it’s nothing like that. Today Newcastle were better and they deserved the win. Because of that they were allowed to score more chances than us. In terms of a rule, there has to be a rule.”

What did Pep think – and what did he say to Bruno?

Asked about the incident, City boss Pep Guardiola referred to a goal scored by Bournemouth at the Etihad where Donnarumma was disrupted from a corner in the build-up to the Cherries’ equalizer.

“If he complained, it’s because something bad happened,” Guardiola said of Donnarumma’s complaints. “The same thing happened in Bournemouth. That’s how it is.”

Guardiola was also seen in a war of words with the full-time officials, as well as Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

When asked what he said to Guimaraes, Guardiola replied: “I told him how good he is and the situation with Gigio. I told him what happened for the previous situations. I think it’s okay.”

City also had a few penalty shouts in the first half – notably a Malick Thiaw foul on Phil Foden, as well as a handball shout from the same Newcastle defender.

Asked about the sanction decisions, Dias said: “There was one in the first half with Phil, I feel like they were saying it was very clear.”

Was Donnarumma fouled for Newcastle’s winner?

Aerial sports Experts Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp were unanimous in saying that Donnarumma should have been stronger in the build-up to Newcastle’s winner – and that there had been no wrongdoing.

“I think he needs to be stronger in this particular moment,” Richards said. “To be fair to Ruben [Dias]when you hit a goalie like that, you get those decisions sometimes. I understand what he says about consistency.

“You see Barnes on him, but Donnarumma’s size? It’s too easy. Not enough contact. No foul.”

Redknapp added: “Barnes comes behind Gvardiol. Is that enough? Donnarumma needs to be stronger. Of course he will complain, but sometimes you get them and sometimes you don’t.

“He seems more obsessed with pushing Doku [than being pushed]! He gets himself into a bit of trouble. It’s so small – you have to be stronger!”

“What is more important is the desire of the Newcastle players to get to the end of this cross.

“There might have been a slight touch, but even if you’re Man City, it’s not enough.”