Ruben Dias was annoyed by the decision to allow Harvey Barnes’ second goal in Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United, saying the Premier League “has to make it meaningful.”
City missed the chance to draw within one point at the top of the Premier League as two second-half goals from Barnes condemned them to a damaging defeat against Tyneside.
Dias briefly got City back level with his first Premier League goal since December 2021, also away to Newcastle, after going 106 league games without scoring between the two attempts.
But it counted for little as Barnes reacted quickest during a 70th-minute goal battle, firing home after Bruno Guimaraes headed against the woodwork.
The goal survived a lengthy VAR check which looked at two possible offside situations and a possible foul on Gianluigi Donnarumma, with City claiming Barnes pushed their goalkeeper.
Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku both had penalty appeals in the first half, but Dias’ biggest problem was the winning goal.
“There’s one in the first half with Phil, I feel like they said it was very clear,” Dias told Sky Sports. “Of all the decisions, this is the second goal.
“I think we have to make it logical, because where is the sense in their player pushing our goalkeeper outside the goal? What do we allow, and for how long?”
Defeat on the road.
2-1 @okx pic.twitter.com/PyrQG61Bsf
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 22, 2025
“Sometimes you allow it, sometimes you don’t. Where is the rule? What can you actually do?”
“Gigio is in his place, he is pushed out and there are no consequences. It’s allowed. I had the chance to see it again, I didn’t even realize it on the field.”
“I thought it was strange that he was out of position, so we knew straight away something was wrong. But I saw the review and it’s Barnes who pushes him off the goal.”
“We are so picky with certain contacts, but with such contact with the goalkeeper do you allow that? It is what it is. If that is the rule, fine. But let’s do the same.”
“It used to be a foul. Now apparently it’s allowed. People will say I’m making excuses, but it’s not like that. Today Newcastle were better and they deserved the win.”
For the first time since 2013/2014, City have suffered no fewer than four defeats in the first twelve games of a Premier League season (also four).
It is the most defeats Pep Guardiola’s side have ever suffered in the first twelve league matches of a season during his managerial career.
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