Pep Guardiola believes the perceived injustice of Erling Haaland’s disallowed goal in Wednesday’s thrilling 1-1 draw at Brighton proves Manchester City are Premier League champions on their own merits.
City top scorer Haaland looked to have claimed a late winner at the Amex Stadium but his close-range header from Cole Palmer’s cross was ruled out after VAR spotted a shirt pull on Levi Colwill.
Guardiola was visibly angered by the decision after seeing a replay on the big screen inside the ground and was later shown a yellow card by referee Simon Hooper for his ongoing protestations.
The City boss claims 36-goal striker Haaland has endured similar physical contact from defenders all season and feels the incident shows his side have not benefited from favourable refereeing calls during their charge to the title.
“If it’s disallowed, every action to Erling Haaland by all central defenders is a fault,” he said.
“Every action. And we saw one or two (on Wednesday).
“It’s a goal because he’s bigger, he’s stronger, he won the position (from Colwill) and it was an incredible action from Cole Palmer and the goal should be given.
“But that proved that what we won on the pitch belongs to us, not anyone gave us anything.
“He has bruises on all of his body after the games. If he’s faulting in the disallowed goal, every action to him is a fault and never happens.”
Haaland, who squandered two excellent first-half chances, nodded home 11 minutes from time in front of the travelling fans after Julio Enciso’s stunning strike cancelled out Phil Foden’s opener.
A gripping south-coast contest halted City’s top-flight winning streak at 12 games but mattered little in the context of their season.
that proved that what we won on the pitch belongs to us, not anyone gave us anything.
Guardiola’s men enjoyed alcohol-fuelled celebrations after lifting the Premier League trophy following Sunday’s 1-0 win over Chelsea and are bidding to complete the treble with FA Cup and Champions League glory.
Following Sunday’s visit to Brentford, City face rivals Manchester United at Wembley on June 3 before attempting to become European champions for the first time against Inter Milan in Istanbul a week later.
Guardiola has defensive issues moving towards the two finals after Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and Manuel Akanji missed the trip to Sussex.
Jack Grealish was also absent, while John Stones and Foden were withdrawn during the game as a precaution.
“Phil had a knock in the first half and problems in his leg and the doctor told me that in this position it is dangerous so we don’t take a risk,” said Guardiola.
“John at the end was a little tight but he didn’t feel anything and is fine, he told me, but we didn’t want to take a risk because we had just one central defender with John.
“The others are injured so hopefully they can recover as soon as possible.
“We sustained no injuries for a long time but the moment we get near the Champions League final, four or five players get little niggles – important ones – and we have to recover them.”
Sixth-placed Brighton cemented their spot in next season’s Europa League with the midweek point.
Pascal Gross, the Seagulls’ first signing following promotion to the top flight in 2017, told his club’s website: “I’m so proud of the boys, what an achievement for us.
“We can’t wait for the Europa League. What a season ahead.”
Paraguayan Enciso’s spectacular equaliser followed another goal of the season contender from the 19-year-old in last month’s 2-1 win at Chelsea.
“He can have it (goal of the season),” said Gross. “Two incredible goals.
“What I like more, he’s getting better and better. It’s not easy coming from far away abroad with no English.
“But he’s improving speaking English, he’s improving adapting to the group, a good guy and I think there’s much more to come.”
Bolt undergoes successful surgery to repair ruptured Achilles
World 100m, 200m and 4x100m record holder Usain Bolt has had a successful surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles heel.
The eight-time Olympic gold medalist, who is 37 years old and retired in 2017, suffered the injury while playing in Soccer Aid, a match played annually to raise funds for UNICEF, on June 9 at Stamford Bridge, home of English Premier League club Chelsea FC.
“Surgery was successful,” said Bolt on social media on Monday.
Bolt, who has been a regular fixture in the charity game in recent years, was captaining the Soccer Aid World XI against England before going down with the injury early in the second half.
Inter Miami v Columbus Crew: Black & Gold aim for further road joy against gutsy Herons
Inter Miami are sitting comfortably at the top of the Eastern Conference table but face a challenge on Thursday when Columbus Crew visit for an MLS clash at Chase Stadium.
The Herons are two points clear at the summit of the East standings after snatching a 2-1 triumph over Philadelphia Union last time out.
Yet Wilfried Nancy's Crew have triumphed in their last four road games in the league, battling to a 3-2 victory over New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Friday.
"It's a massive run and just shows how good we are mentally" Mohamed Farsi said of the streak.
"I think we have more away wins right now than last year all season. I think so or the same, so I'm happy for that."
Farsi has become a central figure for Columbus and scored the go-ahead goal in the 53rd minute against the Pigeons, much to the delight of head coach Nancy.
"The idea for Mo is to be more consistent because he brings a lot of energy to the team," Nancy said.
"He wants also to show himself that he's a better player than last year when we had the same deal here. Good for him.
"Now, he knows that he has to work on certain things, but I'm happy for him. He's doing a good job."
Despite missing Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Matis Rojas – all of whom are on Copa America duty – the nine-man Herons overcame the Union thanks to Leo Afonso's last-gasp strike.
"It is clear that in 10 times, nine of these games we would end up losing," Miami head coach Gerardo Martino said.
"Absolutely all the credit belongs to them. That has to do with the effort, with the character, with the guts that the boys had."
Afonso echoed his coach's sentiment ahead of another crunch match-up.
"It's difficult when you're missing the best players in history in their positions," he said. "But we got to keep working, and we got to try our best."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Jordi Alba
With stars Messi and Suarez on international duty, Jordi Alba will be expected to step up once more for the Herons.
The former Barcelona full-back has two goals this year in MLS, as well as five assists – that creative tally is only bettered by Messi (13) and Julian Gressel (six) among Miami team-mates.
Columbus Crew – Diego Rossi
Diego Rossi remains an integral figure in attack for the Crew, whose Javier Hernandez (five goals) has only scored more than the forward's four in 10 MLS games this year.
With other Uruguayan colleagues at the Copa, Rossi will hope to extend his fine scoring form here.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Miami may be leading the way in the East but a draw appears the most likely outcome at Chase Stadium.
The Herons have never lost a home match against the Crew (W2 D1), though Columbus did earn their first away point against David Beckham's Miami-based side on the last visit to Fort Lauderdale, a 2-2 draw in July 2023.
Martino will hope to continue a strong run of form with another victory, however.
Miami have won eight of their last 11 regular-season matches (D2 L1) following a 2-1 victory at Philadelphia on Saturday. Since that run began in mid-April, Martino's side have managed 26 points and scored 28 goals – both league-leading figures.
Yet Columbus should not be ruled out for a win either.
The Crew have won four straight regular-season away matches for the second time in club history after a four-match run in August-September 2015.
Columbus have lost only one of their last 11 regular-season road matches, dating back to last September (W5 D5), and that streak could continue here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami win – 37.4%
Columbus Crew win – 36.3%
Draw – 26.4%
Mbappe injury leaves Deschamps concerned after France's Euro 2024 triumph
Kylian Mbappe suffering a late head injury marred France's Euro 2024 victory over Austria as Didier Deschamps was left concerned about the Les Bleus star.
The Real Madrid-bound attacker sustained a blow to his nose after an aerial challenge with Austria's Kevin Danso before Mbappe was withdrawn on Monday.
France held on for a 1-0 victory in Dusseldorf to move level with fellow Group D leaders Netherlands, but Deschamps will have to sweat over Mbappe's fitness before facing Ronald Koeman's men on Friday.
"[His] nose is not good at all," the France head coach, who hit 100 wins in charge of his country with the victory over Ralf Rangnick's side, told reporters.
"Even if it's just the nose, it's the big negative point for us tonight."
Mbappe missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the second half as his wait for a European Championship goal continued.
The former Paris Saint-Germain man remains without a goal from a total of 18 shots in the tournament, while he has registered 12 strikes from 39 attempts at the World Cup.
Mbappe played the cross in for Max Wober's decisive first-half own-goal, however, as the centre-back's inadvertent error proved the difference in the pair's tournament opener.
France are the first European side at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) to benefit from 10 own-goals, four more than any other side – Germany are the next best on six.
Deschamps was still satisfied with Les Bleus' work, though acknowledged their failure in front of goal.
"Happy with what the players did even if we missed opportunities to double the tally," he added. "It was not perfect but we were solid.
"We could have been more efficient offensively but it's good to start with a win.
"There's quality and talent but being solid and working together is also important. We're not going to be over-confident, but it's a good start."
N'Golo Kante was named as the Player of the Match after his efficient display in midfield, having only returned to the international setup for this tournament after a two-year absence.
No France player made more successful tackles than Kante's two (level with Jules Kounde), while the midfielder's pair of interceptions marked the most for Les Bleus.
"Everything was not perfect but we have the result we wanted, this is a good start," Kante said. "There are solid foundations, we have to be more efficient.
"It makes me happy to be back. Things have changed, makes it feels good to get back into this jersey."
The defeat ended a run of seven games without a loss for Austria in all competitions (W6 D1), while it was only their second reverse in their last 17 matches (W12 D3).
Yet former Manchester United boss Rangnick refused to point the blame at any of Austria's players.
"We are all very disappointed... we allowed France to go ahead, they didn't shoot their goal, it was an unlucky own goal by us," Rangnick said.
"I think no one can accuse the team of not being engaged enough, not running enough. They gave their everything.
"They didn't always make the right decisions with the ball. But it isn't easy, the French were aggressive, and played compactly and that wasn't a surprise."
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