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Following Manchester City’s Premier League defeat at Newcastle on Saturday evening, Pep Guardiola made a beeline for referee Sam Barrott at full-time.

That particular act from the Spaniard could be seen far away following a contest full of contentious decisions.

As a result of their humiliating defeat, City felt they were facing a penalty call, a handball shout, and a tight offside decision, which leaves them third in the table, four points clear of Arsenal, who had already played more.

After the game, Guardiola was unable to discuss refereeing decisions.

When BBC Sport inquired about the conversation that had occurred with Barrott, Guardiola looked intent on controlling his feelings and said, “Nothing.” Everything is in order.

After the game, Guardiola went into the referee’s room at St James’ Park and once more remarked, “everything is fine” and “it is what it is.”

Man City’s worst season start in five years is now second-worst under Guardiola, and it’s second-best.

Phil Foden entered the box and fired a shot that went wide at 0-0 after 18 minutes.

The City midfielder was writhing in pain after being caught by Newcastle defender Schar when he flew across with his studs.

However, hosts’ video assistant referee Craig Pawson and referee Barrott chose to accept the on-field decision and only gave them a goal-kick.

If “contact is inevitable” between defender and attacker, “play should typically be allowed to continue,” according to the Premier League’s handbook.

However, the law also states that a “penalty kick and appropriate sanction are the expected outcome” when “contact is either reckless (yellow card) or serious foul play (red card)”

Barrott ruled that Schar’s challenge was not reckless on this occasion, but experts disagreed.

Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport, “I believe it’s a penalty.”

The referee “might have looked at Foden’s set-up for the shot before the contact,” the referee said. It’s a foul”.

Jonathan Woodgate, a former Newcastle defender, stated on BBC Radio 5 Live, “I don’t believe Schar gets the ball, but I don’t believe it’s a penalty.”

He doesn’t seem to do enough, I believe.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards claimed on Sky Sports that there is communication, but Foden’s shot has already been saved.

Malick Thiaw was struck on the arm by Jeremy Doku shortly later, but VAR supported the decision to not give a penalty on the field.

“I believe that is a penalty,” Richards remarked. Because he doesn’t have a flat palm, he is the only thing that saves him. The only thing that comes to mind is what will save him.

With a quickfire double that won Newcastle’s match, there was debate over whether Harvey Barnes’ second goal from the 70th minute should have been equal.

Initial television replays of the incident did not show lines for potential offside, but a screenshot later revealed Bruno Guimaraes was onside when he headed against the crossbar.

After a five-minute wait, Barnes followed in with the score, and Newcastle’s players and supporters wildly cheered the goal’s rubber-stamped outcome.

Richards remarked, “The defending for the second goal was simply not good enough.” At the far post, he should never have a free header.

For the first time since 2013-14, City have lost four of their first 12 games of the Premier League season.

On Sunday, Guardiola’s men take on North London rivals Tottenham, and the visitors had a chance to put real pressure on themselves with a win, but they were unable to do so.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, City goalkeeper, was also left furious at full-time, just like Guardiola did.

The Italy international was fined for his protestations after claiming he had been fouled in the winning goal from the corner just as he had claimed in the match against Bournemouth.

At the conclusion of the game, Donnarumma appeared to argue with assistant coach Jason Tindall and was forced to leave.

Guardiola responded, “He felt a touch.” However, the VAR and the referees make the opposite decision. We’ve been doing it for a while.

The City manager continued, “The last five inquiries have been about referees and actions. Ask the officials. Nothing about the images that I have not yet seen will change.

Did I say something when I played in the FA Cup finals against Crystal Palace and Manchester United? Nothing . It is what it is. And I stumbled. Firstly, I congratulate United and Palace on behalf of my club.

Belal Muhammad vs. Ian Machado Garry at UFC Qatar in Doha continued his push for the welterweight title.

The Irishman defeated the former champion at the ABHA Arena to earn his 17th career victory.

Machado Garry, 28, declared himself the front-runner to defeat Islam Makhachev, the champion.

“The world champion is the only person who can surpass him.” Islam, you try to put me to sleep because Belal couldn’t. I’ll tell you right away that I am the best person on earth.

You are looking at him and you have a duty to defend that belt against the world’s best welterweight.

I’m removing you from that throne. Sign the contract, and I’ll see you soon because no one is stopping me from having a bright future and my dreams.

American Muhammad, 37, chose to strike first against Machado Garry in the first round but struggled to defeat a man with greater range.

However, Muhammad’s attempts to adapt to his grappling weaknesses were repeatedly thwarted.

Machado Garry resisted Muhammad’s 56 attempts with 72 significant strikes after seven of his seven takedown attempts.

However, Carlos Prates and Michael Morales’ massive knockout victories against top-ranked Leon Edwards and Sean Brady last week may put them ahead of Machado Garry in the pecking order for a title shot after failing to deliver a finish.

A new division champion was crowned after Makhachev’s destruction of Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last week.

The 34-year-old Russian is now a two-weight champion and has lost one MMA fight only once, against Adriano Martins, since 2015.

Arman Tsarukyan submitted Dan Hooker in round two to defend his lightweight ranking as champion in the main event.

After being forced to withdraw from his first fight-week opportunity in January due to injury, Armenian Tsarukyan is pursuing a second title shot.

Tsarukyan, 29, drew a 34-year-old Hooker to the ground before submitting him with an arm-triangle submission.

With a second-round victory over Bogdan Grad, Briton Luke Riley had a flawless start to his UFC career.

The 26-year-old featherweight overcame a challenging first round by getting used to Grad’s pace and grappling.

However, Riley fumbled out in the second round and landed a massive left hand to send Grad down while Pimblett was in his corner.

The Austrian attempted to fight off Riley, but the referee halted the match as a result of heavy strikes that rained down.

Riley remarked about a bad first round, saying, “I’m my own worst critic.

“Line them up, I’m removing everything.” I’ll return soon.

After defeats for Jordan Vucenic, Nathan Fletcher, and Harry Hardwick, Pimblett was one of the first to celebrate with Riley, who ended a losing streak for the Cage Warriors and the UFC in 2025.

Riley recorded nine stops and improved to a record of 12-0.

Perhaps not where he anticipated it to come from, but England manager Thomas Tuchel might have a selection headache.

Two Premier League veterans continue to make compelling arguments for being Harry Kane’s backup next summer, despite discussions about England’s World Cup squad centered primarily on younger players.

In recent years, Callum Wilson and Danny Welbeck have veered to the side of the international stage, but that story may soon change.

Welbeck, who turns 35 on Wednesday, scored his seventh league goal as Brighton rallied from behind to defeat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday.

Wilson scored twice for West Ham in a satisfying 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Since joining the Hammers as a free agent in the summer, the 33-year-old striker has scored three goals in two games and four goals this season.

Wilson has already done it.

The then Newcastle striker forced his way into Gareth Southgate’s 2022 World Cup squad after missing England since October 2019.

Wilson and Kane were the Three Lions’ top striker options in Qatar at the start of the 2022-23 season, scoring six goals in 10 league games.

Since September 2023, he hasn’t won a cap and has only made two substitute appearances in the group stage.

However, former England goalkeeper Rob Green has tipped the striker to make an England return now that Wilson appears to be back to his best with yet another impressive display at Bournemouth.

Wilson’s first goal was scored by Djordje Petrovic, but his second goalkeeper had no chance with his improvised finish.

According to Green, “Callum Wilson was at his clinical best.”

He scored two excellent goals in two chances. If he continues to play for West Ham for the rest of the season and stays in this kind of form, nothing can prevent him from starting. And at number nine, England has few options.

At the conclusion of his contract, Wilson left Newcastle last summer, and he turned down offers from Saudi Arabia.

With his three goals, West Ham have now won three straight games to help them reclaim the Premier League’s relegation zone.

After the Bournemouth draw, Wilson responded to BBC Final Score with questions about his England chances, saying, “Of course, no player would ever say no.”

Who knows what might happen after I keep my shirt at West Ham and get better, six months from now?

Welbeck is currently enjoying a renaissance at Brighton, and manager Fabian Hurzeler perfectly summed up the forward’s form following the win against Brentford.

Hurzeler claimed in BBC Match of the Day, “He is like a good red wine.”

We are delighted to have him in our squad as a leader, player, and personality because “the older he gets, the better he gets.”

Welbeck has seven goals for the top flight this year, followed by Wilson and Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony, who also has four.

Welbeck’s career has been hampered by injuries, with his most recent appearance in September 2018 putting him out of his 42 England caps and 16 goals.

Welbeck told Sky Sports, “Unfortunately for me in my career, I have had some pretty terrible injuries and things that have kept me out for a long time.”

I’m just happy to be playing football, playing football, and staying healthy.

Former players like Wayne Rooney, who praised his strong start to the season, suggested that Tuchel should enlist him for an England recall for the World Cup qualifiers in November.

Welbeck did not play for Serbia and Albania in the squad, but the Brighton forward claims he is not currently thinking about the World Cup.

He told Sky Sports, “I’ve just always remained never too high and never too low.”

Football can change quickly, so I just always go with the flow and make sure I’m prepared.

I take it week by week, game by game, and feeling great because I turned 35 this week on Wednesday. At 35″, I’ll probably need just a little song to get them to sing for me.

Perhaps not where he anticipated it to come from, but England manager Thomas Tuchel might have a selection headache.

Two Premier League veterans continue to make compelling arguments for being Harry Kane’s backup next summer, despite discussions about England’s World Cup squad centered primarily on younger players.

In recent years, Callum Wilson and Danny Welbeck have veered to the side of the international stage, but that story may soon change.

Welbeck, who turns 35 on Wednesday, scored his seventh league goal as Brighton rallied from behind to defeat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday.

Wilson scored twice for West Ham in a satisfying 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Since joining the Hammers as a free agent in the summer, the 33-year-old striker has scored three goals in two games and four goals this season.

Wilson has already done it.

The then Newcastle striker forced his way into Gareth Southgate’s 2022 World Cup squad after missing England since October 2019.

Wilson and Kane were the Three Lions’ top striker options in Qatar at the start of the 2022-23 season, scoring six goals in 10 league games.

Since September 2023, he hasn’t won a cap and has only made two substitute appearances in the group stage.

However, former England goalkeeper Rob Green has tipped the striker to make an England return now that Wilson appears to be back to his best with yet another impressive display at Bournemouth.

Wilson’s first goal was scored by Djordje Petrovic, but his second goalkeeper had no chance with his improvised finish.

According to Green, “Callum Wilson was at his clinical best.”

He scored two excellent goals in two chances. If he continues to play for West Ham for the rest of the season and stays in this kind of form, nothing can prevent him from starting. And at number nine, England has few options.

At the conclusion of his contract, Wilson left Newcastle last summer, and he turned down offers from Saudi Arabia.

With his three goals, West Ham have now won three straight games to help them reclaim the Premier League’s relegation zone.

After the Bournemouth draw, Wilson responded to BBC Final Score with questions about his England chances, saying, “Of course, no player would ever say no.”

Who knows what might happen after I keep my shirt at West Ham and get better, six months from now?

Welbeck is currently enjoying a renaissance at Brighton, and manager Fabian Hurzeler perfectly summed up the forward’s form following the win against Brentford.

Hurzeler claimed in BBC Match of the Day, “He is like a good red wine.”

We are delighted to have him in our squad as a leader, player, and personality because “the older he gets, the better he gets.”

Welbeck has seven goals for the top flight this year, followed by Wilson and Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony, who also has four.

Welbeck’s career has been hampered by injuries, with his most recent appearance in September 2018 putting him out of his 42 England caps and 16 goals.

Welbeck told Sky Sports, “Unfortunately for me in my career, I have had some pretty terrible injuries and things that have kept me out for a long time.”

I’m just happy to be playing football, playing football, and staying healthy.

Former players like Wayne Rooney, who praised his strong start to the season, suggested that Tuchel should enlist him for an England recall for the World Cup qualifiers in November.

Welbeck did not play for Serbia and Albania in the squad, but the Brighton forward claims he is not currently thinking about the World Cup.

He told Sky Sports, “I’ve just always remained never too high and never too low.”

Football can change quickly, so I just always go with the flow and make sure I’m prepared.

I take it week by week, game by game, and feeling great because I turned 35 this week on Wednesday. At 35″, I’ll probably need just a little song to get them to sing for me.