Manuel Pellegrini BLAMES referee Mike Dean for Man City's defeat to Arsenal

MANUEL PELLEGRINI has slammed referee Mike Dean's decision to award Arsenal a penalty as Manchester City fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad.

By David Wright

 

Manuel Pellegrini believes Nacho Monreal dived for the penalty decision

City, who were looking to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 13 matches, are now five points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, who they face in two weeks' time.
Reflecting on only his side's third league defeat of the season, Pellegrini thought Mike Dean was wrong to award a penalty and the decision was crucial to the outcome of the game.
The referee adjudged City captain Vincent Kompany to have blocked Nacho Monreal's run in the box, for Santi Cazorla to convert from the spot.
Pellegrini said: "I think the penalty changed the game. I don't like to think it was a penalty, it was not a penalty.

"The movement of Kompany allows him [Nacho Monreal] to dive.
"It was unnecessary to do it (award the spot-kick) and after that it seemed that the game changed.
"Before the penalty we have the possession of the ball, we play near their box and they (do not) have any clear chances (from open play) to score during the whole game.
"The two goals of Arsenal were set-pieces - one penalty and one free-kick."