Rodri: 'They don't want us to win' after VAR decision in Man City 2-2 draw at Tottenham

Manchester City midfielder Rodri launched a furious tirade at match officials and VAR after his side surrendered a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw at Tottenham on Feb. 2, 2026, saying "they don't want us to win." City had appeared to be cruising thanks to goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo, with the home side booed off at the interval, before Tottenham mounted a comeback led by Dominic Solanke.

Solanke bundled home the first with a deflection off Marc Guehi and then struck a stunning scorpion-kick second, a sequence City argue involved a foul that should have been picked up by VAR. Speaking to Stan Sport, Rodri — described in the report as the Ballon d'Or winner — said: "I know we won too much and the people don't want us to win but the referee has to be neutral...

It's a clear foul in the first action of the goal. VAR is (there) for a reason. These small details make the difference." Manager Pep Guardiola also criticised the officials, telling BBC Sport: "Once again... Have you seen it? Nothing. It's happened once again. What can I say? Marc has the ball, he's been kicked from behind, and it's a goal.

Nothing. One more." He added: "Well, if you do it to a striker it would be a penalty... Fascinating in the Premier League." The draw leaves City six points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

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