Pep Guardiola once again complained about the match officials as Manchester City had Raheem Sterling sent off after he picked up a second yellow card for his celebrations among jubilant away supporters, following his 97th-minute winner at Bournemouth. It was the second time in six days that City had been reduced to 10 men, after Kyle Walker’s red card against Everton on Monday.
Sterling was booked by the referee, Mike Dean, in the 91st minute for a foul on Harry Arter before being given another yellow after running towards the 1,200 travelling supporters, a small section of whom spilled on to the pitch to celebrate at the Vitality Stadium.
Guardiola, whose team extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches with their last-gasp victory on the south coast, said he was baffled by the decision. “If you cannot celebrate with the fans the best solution is not to invite the fans,” Guardiola said. “I would like someone to comment, to see what happened. After scoring the goal you can imagine how happy he is, how happy the fans are.
“It is the same action; can you explain the second yellow card for Kyle Walker? So we miss him for 50 minutes against Everton and 90 minutes here against Bournemouth [through suspension] for one yellow card that it was not.
“I am telling you that because we won, believe me if we had not won, or lost, I would not have made the argument but I would like someone to explain to me that. Kyle Walker is not here today and now Raheem Sterling cannot play against his old team, Liverpool [on 9 September].”
Guardiola also felt that Bournemouth were fortunate not be reduced to 10 men themselves, with Nathan Aké only booked for tripping Gabriel Jesus midway through the first half, despite the Dutchman appearing to be the last defender. “I would like them to explain about that [Aké decision] as well, they told me it was not a clear action but I do not know how because he was the last man on the pitch,” Guardiola said. “It of course is not the same to play 10 against 11 – I have my experience from when we played against Everton. Teams who always have the 65-70% possession always have the player sent off, perhaps someone can explain that to me one day.”
Sergio Agüero was caught up in the chaotic scenes approaching full-time and a match-day steward alleged the City striker had struck him. The Argentinian denied any wrongdoing and on Saturday evening Bournemouth said an earlier statement given to Dorset police that alleged assault by Agüero had been withdrawn. “AFC Bournemouth are aware of an alleged incident which occurred following Manchester City’s second goal,” read a club statement. “The club have been advised that due to a misunderstanding, an earlier statement alleging assault has been withdrawn and no assault took place.”