Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola slams time-wasting Southampton after losing it in bizarre clash with Nathan Redmond: 'I just wanted them to play'

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Pep Guardiola was involved in a bizarre confrontation with Nathan Redmond on Wednesday night after Manchester City snatched an injury-time winner to beat Southampton at the Etihad.

Guardiola apologised to referee Paul Tierney for his manic goal celebration when Raheem Sterling scored another sensational late winner to keep City eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

But the animated City boss then became embroiled in a heated exchange with Saints winger Redmond as the two teams left the field, grabbing him around the neck and pushing him in the chest.

Pep Guardiola let his frustrations out at Southampton winger Nathan Redmond on Wednesday

The Manchester City boss claimed he was frustrated by Southampton's time-wasting tactics

He claimed Southampton were time-wasting from the ninth minute and 'didn't want to play'

Guardiola claimed that he was praising the player, but was clearly unhappy about what he felt was time-wasting by Mauricio Pellegrino's side.  

'I was telling Nathan Redmond how good he is at the end,' Guardiola told the BBC. 'Southampton have some super talented players, Redmond is so good one against one. Last season he destroyed us here.

'But they didn't want to play, they were time wasting from the ninth minute. I just wanted them to play.

But also insisted that he was praising Redmond and Southampton for their talents

'It was happening 50 years ago. Their striker was marking our defensive midfielder so it was 10 men behind the ball all the time.

'They didn't want to play, and that's very difficult to face. We didn't concede any counter-attacks just set-pieces.

'The goal was amazing because there was no space to attack. They came to defend and waste time.'

Guardiola could not contain his delight when Sterling curled in a stunning winner with almost the last kick of the game to break Southampton's hearts after Oriol Romeu had cancelled out Kevin De Bruyne's opener.

Guardiola was forced to apologise to referee Paul Tierney for his goal celebrations

It keeps City well clear of Manchester United at the top of the table and set a new club record of 12 straight league wins.

Guardiola was spoken to by Tierney after he ran onto the pitch, punching the air and celebrating with his players – including Benjamin Mendy who is recuperating from a ruptured cruciate ligament.

'I said I apologise because I couldn't control it,' he added. 'I was so happy. I ran behind Raz but wasn't quick enough. He (the referee) told me, "you can't do that" and I said "I know".

'Mendy is crazy. Six-month injury and running. Disaster!

'I think all the supporters have had some special moments and in the last second we enjoyed the situation. You have to celebrate it.

'It was a good moment in the locker-room, all the staff were so happy, it makes sense to enjoy our celebration.'

Raheem Sterling's stoppage-time strike secured a 2-1 victory and keeps City eight points clear

Guardiola paid tribute to Sterling who followed up his late winners against Feyenoord last week and Huddersfield on Sunday with another sensational strike to claim his 13th goal in 19 games this season.

'He's full of confidence,' said the City boss. 'I know him. You have to discover the pleasure of winning games. The guys who score are full of joy and the goal was amazing.

'I said many times, he's young but he's making steps. Before he was shy and didn't believe, now he can do it.

'His team-mates give him confidence. You have to have the personality and put the ball there. It was a fantastic goal, really fantastic.'

Southampton boss Pellegrino was puzzled that the referee decided to add on five minutes at the end of the game, but did not object to City's exuberant celebrations.

He said: 'I didn't see too many actions to delay the game.

'Every team and person celebrates. It's really frustrating for us but I am happy for them. We have to digest this pain.'  

The Spaniard sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate a 'fantastic goal' by his young winger