Rodri Criticized the Referee after Manchester City's Draw against Tottenham: Unfair

JAKARTA - Manchester City midfielder Rodri said referees must be neutral when he criticized the decision to allow Tottenham's first goal in a 2-2 draw on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The Citizens looked set to extend their lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table to four points after going two goals ahead in the first half through Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo, but Spurs fought back.

Dominic Solanke scored twice, including a sensational goal with his heel in the 70th minute. However, his first goal eight minutes into the second half angered Rodri and Manager Pep Guardiola.

Tottenham striker Solanke appeared to kick Marc Guehi in the back of the leg to score. Although VAR reviewed the incident, VAR decided there was no foul committed.

Manchester City have had VAR decisions go against them in matches against Newcastle United, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2026. Rodri appeared to question whether the referee was being fair.

"I know we win too often and people don't want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral and honest. For me, it's not fair."

"It's not fair because we work so hard in these situations. Now have to accept these decisions, we have to carry on."

"Of course you need to bounce back, but at the end of the day, when it's all over, we're frustrated because the foul was so clear. He kicked the leg and of course with the push on the ball, the ball went in."

"We have to pay attention to these little things. Otherwise, it will be difficult for everyone because of this league. It's about small details and everything is important. So, I think this game was a very difficult day for us in this regard," Rodri told Australian television station Stan Sport, reported by ESPN.

Manchester City had a goal disallowed by VAR in their 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United. Then Diogo Dalot escaped a red card for a foul on Jeremy Doku as Guardiola's side lost the Manchester derby.

Rodri - a week after referee Farai Hallam refused to award a penalty to Manchester City against Wolves despite being asked to review the incident on the touchline monitor - was angry at this latest decision.

"I don't know how I feel. Now I see the picture. On the pitch you don't see it. It was obviously a foul on the first goal."

"It was clearly a foul and VAR was there for a reason. These small details make a difference. We try to do our best."

"That was the first goal they scored and maybe if they didn't score the goal, we would have won the game. Honestly, I never talk about the referee, I have a lot of respect for their work, but they have to pay attention to these things. He kicked the leg. It was very clear, very clear. "

"He anticipates Marc's feet and it's obviously a foul, but not today. It's two or three games in a row. I don't know why, just honestly," said Rodri.

Pep Guardiola was also clearly unhappy with the decision not to overturn Solanke's first goal.

"Of course not. It happened again. What can I say? Marc controlled the ball, he was kicked from behind and it was a goal. What can I say? Nothing. One more," Guardiola told Sky Sports:

Meanwhile, the Premier League Match Centre issued a statement regarding the goal protested by Manchester City.

"The referee's decision on the goal has been reviewed and confirmed by VAR, with Solanke's tackle on Guehi deemed not to be a foul as Solanke played the ball."

"The goal accreditation panel has decided that the goal is Solanke's goal," their statement read.