Furious Pep Guardiola confronts referee after Man City draw with Crystal Palace and red card that can’t be overturned

FUMING Pep Guardiola confronted the referee on the pitch following Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

The reigning champions lost more ground in the title race as they were held to just a point at Selhurst Park by Oliver Glasner’s side.

Reuters

Rico Lewis was sent off with a second yellow card for a challenge on Trevoh Chalobah[/caption]

PA

An angry Pep Guardiola confronted referee Robert Jones after the game[/caption]

Daniel Munoz had given Palace the lead after just four minutes before Erling Haaland looped a header into the goal on the half an hour mark.

The second half then saw Maxence Lacroix head home a far post corner before Rico Lewis netted the second equaliser for City.

But the England international went from hero to zero as he was sent off by Robert Jones with a second yellow card for a challenge on Trevoh Chalobah even though it appeared he had come off worse.

VAR could not overturn the decision – which was the first red card of Lewis’ career – due to it being a second yellow card rather than a straight red.

The only time VAR is permitted to intervene for a second yellow card is when there is a belief the card should be upgraded to a straight red.

City stars on the pitch were adamant the decision was an error and confronted Jones both at the time and after the game.

However, manager Guardiola also took to the pitch after the game to speak to the ref and assistant refs.

He was seen with his hands in his pockets saying something to them before walking away.

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Speaking after the game, the Spaniard said: “So proud of the team. I liked everything of the team, how we fought. We have a lot of problems with our squad.

“We fought incredible. We came back twice. It’s a difficult place to come. We struggled in the beginning. We gave everything and we take a point.

“Long balls, second balls, they’re stronger than us. We started the second half a bit sloppy. After 2-1 we reacted well.

“We lost another player defensively for the next game for a second yellow card.”

With Liverpool‘s clash at Everton postponed due to Storm Darragh, City’s point in London moved them to eight behind the league leaders.