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Premier League: Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini upset with Mark Clattenburg

Arsene Wenger with Manuel Pellegrini
Image: Manuel Pellegrini: Man City boss was upset at Emirates Stadium

Manuel Pellegrini accused Mark Clattenburg of costing Manchester City victory at Arsenal with his refereeing performance.

City needed a late Martin Demichelis header to rescue a 2-2 draw after Arsenal recovered from Sergio Aguero's opener to lead through goals from Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez.

And Pellegrini afterwards claimed Clattenburg failed to spot fouls in the build-up to both Arsenal goals and should have awarded City a penalty for a Wilshere handball with the score at 2-1.

"Arsenal scored both goals with fouls, of course he cost us victory," Pellegrini said of Clattenburg.

"Their first goal was unbelievable, there was a push on Sergio Aguero but the referee didn't want to whistle.

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"And the second goal there was clearly a push on Kompany when he cleared the ball with a header. That was right in front of the referee as well.

"There was a clear penalty, twice against the hands of Wilshere, in front of the linesman. This was a clear penalty. I don't have a problem with this referee.

"I think we had more possession and had more chances. On a normal day we had to win this game."

Clattenburg was the referee when City lost at Liverpool in April, when he failed to spot a Martin Skrtel handball in the penalty area late in the game.

Pellegrini said: "The referee had a very bad day today and a very bad day against Liverpool last season."

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