PEP CRIES FOUL OVER MAGPIES' WINNER

City boss confronts ref over VAR verdict; Slot takes the blame for Reds' 6th EPL loss

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Pep Guardiola was left fuming, after Newcastle United dented Manchester City's English Premier League title challenge with a controversial 2-1 victory on Nov 22.

The Spaniard's side trailed to Harvey Barnes' second-half opener at St James' Park before Ruben Dias equalised for the visitors.

Moments after Dias levelled, Barnes bagged Newcastle's contentious second goal, which was allowed to stand after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check for a potential offside against Bruno Guimaraes.

Guardiola felt City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had been fouled in the buildup to Barnes' winner and was also aggrieved over a rejected first-half penalty claim by Phil Foden.

Guardiola stormed onto the pitch at full time to confront referee Sam Barrott, but later said "everything is fine" when asked about the incident.

"It happened in the Bournemouth game and it happened today again. It is what it is after VAR decided. They know perfectly," he said, with a hint of sarcasm about Newcastle's second goal.

"You see Donnarumma complain and that is because something wrong happened.

"It was an entertaining game, we both had chances and then there was a momentum shift and ultimately we couldn't win."