Pep Guardiola demands explanation as to why Manchester City players get red cards 'all the time'

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Pep Guardiola demanded an explanation for why his Manchester City players keep getting sent off after City’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth this afternoon.

Raheem Sterling’s last-gasp winner gave City the three points but Guardiola was frustrated after Sterling was shown a second yellow card by Mike Dean for celebrating with the City away end. That was City’s second red card in five days, after Kyle Walker was sent off against Everton on Monday, and Guardiola wanted to know why City have red cards “all the time”.

“It’s a good question,” Guardiola said when asked about Sterling’s red card. “I would like some to call me to see what happened, because if you cannot celebrate with the fans, the best solution is don’t invite the fans. So after 95 minutes, you score a goal, you can imagine how happy the guy is, and the team. They want to go with our fans.”

Guardiola was clearly still upset with Walker’s dismissal earlier this week, for a second yellow he said “does not exist”, and the fact that he was suspended from playing today. “In the same action, you can explain the second yellow card for Kyle Walker,” Guardiola said. “You miss him 50 minutes against Everton, 90 minutes here in Bournemouth, for one yellow card. And I’m saying that because we won. Believe me, if we did not win, I would not make that argument. But I would like for someone to explain that to me. Why Kyle Walker is not here today, and why Sterling cannot play against his old team Liverpool.”

Guardiola was especially frustrated by the red card because of Mike Dean’s failure to send off Nathan Ake in the first half. Jesus was clean through on goal when Ake brought him down, but Dean only produced a yellow card. Guardiola wanted to know why his team, who dominate the ball, seem to have more players dismissed than their opponents.

“They told me it was not a clear action,” Guardiola said. “But in that situation, both [other] central defenders are far away. It’s a clear chance. Of course it’s not the same to play 10 v 11, I promise you, I have my experience, against Everton. Normally [we are] the guys who try to take the ball, and have 65 to 70% per cent of the possession. Always we have sent offs. All the time. Maybe one day, once, they can explain me that.”

Guardiola explained a serious disagreement he had with Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe in the second half over whether City gave Bournemouth the ball back following a stoppage. “If he was upset, I apologise,” Guardiola said. “But our point of view was a little bit different. Danilo gave the ball to Mings, and Sterling didn’t press him. But Mings did not want to play. After three or four seconds, we go to press, they played a long-ball. If he is offeded, sorry, it is not intentional.”

Howe said that he was “disappointed” that Bournemouth could not comfortably get the ball back to goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.