Tottenham 2-2 Man City: Pep Guardiola bemoans controversial Dominic Solanke goal that created 'emotional issue'
Pep Guardiola has claimed that Dominic Solanke's first goal would've been given as a foul if it had been a striker complaining for a penalty; Solanke appeared to kick through Marc Guehi before bundling the ball home; City lost ground in the title race in the 2-2 with Tottenham
Sunday 1 February 2026 21:22, UK
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola suggested that Dominic Solanke's first goal should not have stood after his side dropped more crucial points in the title race in their draw with Tottenham.
Solanke stole the show in Tottenham's second-half comeback which was capped off by an incredible scorpion kick to level the game.
His first was far scrappier as the striker appeared to kick through City defender Marc Guehi before the ball bundled past Gianluigi Donnarumma for what was initially given as an own goal before the Premier League awarded it to Solanke.
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It proved to be a crucial moment in proceedings, as it gave the hosts the lift they needed after being booed off following a dismal first-half performance. But Guardiola believes had the roles been reversed, a foul would've been awarded.
"If a central defender does that to a striker, it's a penalty, right?" Guardiola said in his post-match press conference.
The City boss has not been afraid of sharing his view that his team have been hard done by with decisions going against them of late, and continued that train of thought by suggesting the referee handed Spurs their first goal.
"Nothing has changed the opinion I have had in the past," he added.
"We would preferred not to have had that transition, but I don't mind an emotional issue for the goal that the referee gave to Spurs.
"After that, the momentum is difficult to control. The game was well played.
"Against United, I could say many things [about how we played]. Today, in general, it was really well played."
Frank: We wanted a higher threshold for contact
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on Dominic Solanke's first goal:
"I think there's clear contact from Solanke on it.
"We want a higher threshold. I understand it's in the grey area. You look at the Liverpool goal [against Spurs], Hugo Ekitike has two hands in the back of Romero.
"I'm very happy it fell for us, which was more than fair."
Man City still in title race, claims Pep
The draw to Tottenham means that Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the table to six points having played the same amount of games than City.
However, Guardiola played down suggestions that the gap was such that he would need to prioritise other competitions aside from the Premier League.
"So you're saying to me that we stop in the Premier League? We're 14 games away," he said.
"We had injuries. One month ago, we had a lot. Nine, 10 players out. We know that, but at the same time, we are there, and we continue.
"The calendar is what it is, and now we have a semi-final [of the Carabao Cup] to reach a final next Wednesday, and after Anfield, and continue. This is what we have to do.
"As long as the chance is there, the hope is always going to be there."
Analysis: Man City finally punished for sloppy second halves
Sky Sports' Sam Blitz at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
It was easy street for Man City in the first half. They didn't need to get out of first gear at Spurs. The problem is: they stayed there for the rest of the game.
There's been a common theme regarding Pep Guardiola's teams and that is slow second halves after being 2-0 up.
Against Wolves, Joao Gomes and Jorgen Strand Larsen should have pulled a goal back for the league's bottom side but missed chances. Victor Osimhen should have scored once or twice for Galatasaray in midweek. This dip at Spurs was one too many - and it felt similar to the two second half goals conceded in the Manchester derby
Guardiola said his City team suffered emotionally after the injustice of Dominic Solanke's first goal standing due to the Marc Guehi collision. Duels were missed, particularly out wide with the full-backs, he said - and it was seen in the equaliser as Nico O'Reilly and Nico Gonzalez got mixed up.
And then the excuses from Guardiola start to come. Blaming the Guehi-Solanke incident follows similar complaints about not getting a penalty against Wolves and Diogo Dalot staying on the pitch in the Manchester derby. The reality is City have been struggling in the most important parts of matches.
Is it a physical issue, with injuries catching up on them? Is it too many new players over the last 12 months? It all acts as a reminder that this is not a Man City of years gone by. How many times in the past would a Guardiola team kill a game off early and sit on a lead, maybe push for more?
They need a fix to this second half issue quickly, as it's Liverpool up next in the Premier League. The gap to Arsenal cannot afford to get bigger.
