Ruben Dias was furious at manager Harvey Barnes’ decision not to punish Gianluigi Donnarumma for pushing him in the build-up to Newcastle’s win over Manchester City, and called on those involved to “make it mean”.
With the score at 1-1, Barnes scored his second goal of the match from close range after a corner kick was initially cleared.
However, the first set-piece saw Barnes push Donnarumma wide of goal, leading to a tense moment for City’s goalkeeper.
After Barnes’ goal, Donnarumma lunged at referee Sam Barrott and the goal was allowed despite several offside checks by VAR.
Asked about the decision after the match, City defender Dias told Sky Sports: “I think out of all the decisions, only the second goal has to be meaningful.”
“Because what does it mean when an opposing player pushes our goalkeeper out of the goal? What do we allow and for how long?”
“Sometimes we allow it, sometimes we don’t. Where are the rules? What can we actually do?
“For the second goal, Gigio is in his position and is pushed out. And there is no result. It is conceded. I had a chance to get it back, but I didn’t realize it on the pitch.”
“I thought it was odd that he was out of position, so I knew right away that something was wrong. But I managed to watch the review and Barnes was keeping him away from the goal. We’re very picky about certain contacts, but is something like this allowed with the keeper? That’s the way it is. If that’s the rule, so be it. But let’s do the same for us.”
“In the past, it was a foul. Now it’s apparently allowed. People will say we’re looking for excuses, but there’s nothing like that. Newcastle were better today and deserved to win. That’s why they had more chances than us. As per the rules, the rules are necessary.”
What did Pep think and what did he say to Bruno?
Asked about the incident, City manager Josep Guardiola referred to Bournemouth’s goal against the Etihad when Donnarumma fumbled in a corner during the build-up to Cherries’ equaliser.
“If he complained, it’s because something went wrong,” Guardiola said of Donnarumma’s complaint. “The same thing happened at Bournemouth. That’s the way it is.”
Guardiola was seen getting into a war of words with Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton and other full-time officials.
Asked what he said to Guimarães, Guardiola replied: “I told him how good he is and the situation with Gigio. I told him what happened in the previous situation. I think that’s fine.”
City also had several penalty cries in the first half, including a foul on Phil Foden by Malick Thiaw and a handball cry by the same Newcastle defender.
Asked about the penalty call, Diaz said: “There was a penalty against Phil in the first half. I feel like they said it was very obvious.”
Newcastle’s winner was Donnarumma fouled?
Sky Sports pundits Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp unanimously said Donnarumma should have been stronger in the build-up to Newcastle’s winner and there was no foul.
“I think he needs to be stronger in this special moment,” Richards said. “To be fair to Ruben (Diaz), when you touch a goalkeeper like that, sometimes those decisions are made. I understand what he’s saying about consistency.”
“I know we have Barnes, but what size is Donnarumma? It was too easy. We didn’t make enough contact. It wasn’t a foul.”
Redknapp added: “Barnes is coming behind Gvardiol. Is that enough? Donnarumma has to be stronger. Of course he will complain, but sometimes he understands and sometimes he doesn’t.”
“He seems obsessed with pushing Doc (rather than being pushed)! He confuses himself a little. It’s so minimal, you have to be stronger!”
“More importantly, the Newcastle players have shown a desire to get on the tip of that cross.
“There may have been a little bit of contact, but that’s not enough, even if it was Man City.”



