Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is "scandalous" to imply that refs favour Manchester United at Old Trafford.
That's according to former official Graham Poll, who has weighed in on the controversial derby day goal that Bruno Fernandes was allowed to score for the home team, despite Marcus Rashford straying offside. Poll agrees that it should have counted, by the way.
In the aftermath of the game, Citizens chief Guardiola said his side, "Played a good game" while admitting, "This is Old Trafford," and "We know where we’re playing and we know what happens here" about the contentious equaliser his team conceded.
Graham Poll says Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is out of line with his comments, following Manchester United's goal
"It’s scandalous to suggest that," Poll responded, speaking to CasinosEnLigne. "You’ve got the most decorated and recognised assistant referee [Darren Cann].
"He doesn’t care where he’s doing the game. They give what they believe is the correct decision, not the most obvious or easiest decision. In their absolute heart of hearts they believe the decision they’ve made is correct and you have to admire the cojones of making that decision even if they know they’ll get flack for it."
Poll, perhaps most famous for showing three yellow cards to the same player at World Cup 2006, was an English representative at two World Cups and Euro 2000. He also reffed the 2005 UEFA Cup Final. On BT Sport at the time, studio analyst Peter Walton agreed that the goal should have counted – and now Poll has agreed with the decision that Rashford was not offside.
"It hinges on whether he is affecting the opponents with his positioning," Poll declared. "I can argue from my perspective that he doesn’t. I know Manuel Akanji said he stopped to play Rashford offside. Well that’s a mistake by Akanji not Darren Cann or Michael Oliver because the ball could’ve got swept 10 yards further left and then Rashford’s position is irrelevant so that’s a red herring for me.
"You can’t argue that Ederson is affected by Rashford approaching at the angle that he's bearing down on goal from. I don't believe that a referee, who is totally engrossed in refereeing, would necessarily look at that at the time. If I had been refereeing I'd like it to have been given offside and if under review VAR said to rule it out I'd have said, that's fine thank you very much."
Poll also criticised Mikel Arteta for his touchline antics during the North London Derby.
