Manchester City were furious that referee Sam Barrott and the VAR did not rule out Harvey Barnes' second goal for Newcastle after Gianluigi Donnarumma was pushed
Ruben Dias speaks in a post-match interview
Ruben Dias was annoyed that VAR missed an apparent foul
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Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has called on the PGMOL to clarify the rules after Newcastle benefited from a controversial VAR decision. Newcastle beat City 2-1 in the Premier League at St James' Park on Saturday night thanks to two Harvey Barnes goals - one of which needed a lengthy VAR check before it was allowed.
Barnes scored from the edge of the penalty area with a precise finish to make it 1-0 before Dias equalised with a deflected shot. The Magpies winger then found the roof of the net from close range after Bruno Guimaraes struck the bar. The goal was given on the pitch before VAR checked for possible infringements.
Guimaraes was adjudged to have been onside when Nick Woltemade headed down to him, but City also felt aggrieved at another aspect. In the build-up to the goal, there appeared to have been a push on City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma that wasn't picked up by VAR when reviewing the goal.
Pep Guardiola was furious after the full-time whistle and confronted Guimaraes, as well as referee Sam Barrott, on the pitch. While Guardiola did not really explain the City point of view, Dias went into detail in an impassioned interview with Sky Sports.
He said: "I feel like out of all the decisions, the second goal I feel we need to make it make sense because what is the sense in their player pushing our keeper [Gianluigi Donnarumma] outside the goal? What are we allowing, and for how long? It's more like sometimes you allow it, sometimes you don't, so where's the rule, what can you actually do?
"For the second goal, Gigio is in his place, he's being pushed out, there's no consequence, it's allowed. I've had chance to see the [replay], I didn't even realise on the pitch.
"I've found where he was out of position, so we immediately felt something was wrong and I had chance to see the review now and he's - I think it's Barnes, I'm not sure - he's pushing him away from the goal.
Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City protests to referee Sam Barrott after Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United scores
Gianluigi Donnarumma protested to referee Sam Barrott after Harvey Barnes' second goal
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"We're so picky with certain contacts but one like this with the keeper, you allow it. I mean, it is what it is. But if this is the rule, fine - let us do the same..."
Asked if his problem was with the lack of consistency in decision-making, Dias added: "Back in the day, this was a foul. Now, apparently it's allowed. It's one of them, when you lose, people will say I'm finding excuses. But it's nothing like that.
"Today Newcastle were better and they deserved the win because of that. They were able to finish more chances than us. So in the end, all I'm saying is there needs to be a rule."
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