Manchester derby tunnel fight: Live reaction from Jose Mourinho as Pep Guardiola defends City's celebrations
Follow the latest as the two Manchester manager's face the media
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have spoken publicly for the first time since Sunday’s Manchester derby that ended in a tunnel fracas between players and staff of both City and United, ahead of this week’s Premier League fixtures. Follow the latest reaction here.
- Guardiola refused to be drawn on details of what happened in Old Trafford tunnel
- City boss defended his teams celebrations and confirms he encouraged them
- Mourinho would not comment on Guardiola's reasoning
- United manager did claim that fracas came through a 'diversity' of opinions
- Mourinho drenched in milk during tunnel row
- City’s assistant manager Mikel Arteta left with cut to his face
Follow the live news below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
Manchester derby tunnel scrap timeline
Full-time: Manchester City beat United 2-1 at Old Trafford
A surely seismic result in deciding where the Premier League title goes this season. City beat United 2-1 and extend their gap at the top to 11 points. They become the first team in English top-flight history to win 14 successive games in a season.
On the touchline, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola shake hands. The former quickly disappears down the tunnel; the latter keeps his post-match celebrations to a respectful minimum.
Manchester City begin the party
As the players make their way down the tunnel and into their respective dressing rooms, City begin the party.
Their players triumphantly file into the away dressing room, stopping briefly to pose for photographers. Ederson animatedly pumps his fist for the cameras. Kyle Walker meanwhile makes a 2-1 gesture.
From the dressing room, Leroy Sane tweets a picture of all of City’s players grouped together in celebration. Somebody throws a handful of tickertape into the air and the music begins pumping.
Jose Mourinho goes to complain
The United boss is heading from his own dressing room to his post-match media obligations when he hears the noise from City.
He walks into City’s dressing room to make his feelings known. He says that City should “show some more respect”.
The row between Mourinho and Ederson ensues
After making his feelings known, Mourinho becomes involved in a row with the City goalkeeper, Ederson.
The two become involved in a heated exchange and begin trading insults in Portuguese.
The dispute turns ugly
Players from both sides now become involved as things turn ugly.
Milk and plastic water bottles are thrown at Mourinho, as United’s players rush to support him. Witnesses say some players attempt to swing punches as Old Trafford security staff rush to break things up. It has been claimed Romelu Lukaku was involved in the chaos.
In the melee, City coach Mikel Arteta receives a cut to the head which leaves him bleeding.
After things cool down, police remain stationed outside both dressing rooms.
Press interviews begin
After the dispute, both managers conduct their post-match interviews as usual.
Mourinho concedes afterwards that City's advantage in the title race is now at a "significant distance".
Asked if it could be clawed back, he says: "I don't know. We are going to work and fight for it. That is the only thing I say."
He also complains about the late penalty decision, which saw United's Ander Herrera booked for diving after a challenge by Otamendi.
"It is a huge penalty in a crucial moment of the game," Mourinho says. He also bemoans his side's luck.
City boss Pep Guardiola has no time for Mourinho's complaints. "We won because we were better, in all departments," Guardiola says.
PEP GUARDIOLA ON THE OLD TRAFFORD FRACAS"We shook hands and afterwards went to the locker room. I encouraged the players to celebrate the victory in the locker room because we have great respect for our opponents.
"I am the guy who encouraged them to celebrate, but inside. What happened after, happened, and hopefully will not happen again."
Can you tell us any details about Jose entering your changing room?
"I'm not going to comment on that.
Were they over the top celebrations?
"Nope, definitely not. It was the same as the Southampton game, we were happy. We won a derby against United, at that moment the best derby to win. Do people expect us not to celebrate? No, we celebrate it.
What happened to Mikel Arteta?
"I'm not going to explain the comments about what happened there. The FA investigation knows our opinion on that.
"I was clear what I said, that's all."
Disappointed that it's overshadowed the performance?
Pep Guardiola: "People talk, people talk. The game was good, we played our way and we could have scored more goals. In the end, they could have drawn, they could've won."
Guardiola adds:
"He plays in his way, we play in our way. Our counter-attack was not perfect.
"I remember when I was in Spain, Vieira vs Keane, it’s not the first time, hopefully it’ll be the last.
Pep Guardiola on the Champions League draw vs Basel:
"It's Basel, it's from the group stage that United was and I didn't see too much. In that draw, it's in February and we're in December, so ask me the question a week or two before that game because I don't know what our condition will be or the condition of the Basel players."
On Vincent Kompany's injury:
"Swansea tomorrow, no, but I think it's less than we expect.
"It's muscular."
That's it from Pep Guardiola, who by the sounds of it believes neither he nor himself have done anything wrong. City have already passed their information on to the FA for their investigation, and while Guardiola confirmed that an incident happened, he refused to elaborate on any details that came from it.
What he did say though was that City were well within their right to celebrate as they did on Sunday, given the importance of a derby victory, and he does not believe the win has been overshadowed either.
Over to you, Jose...
JOSE MOURINHO RESPONDS"“He says, he says, I'm not here to comment on his words. The only thing I can say is that for me it was just a question of diversity, a diversity in behaviours, diversity in education, just that and nothing more than that."
Jose on Marcos Rojo's fitness:
"He's a brave guy. I don't know - let's see if he can be ready for the match. But if he's not ready, we have other alternatives to play."
On Phil Jones:
"Phil Jones was already on the bench [at the weekend]. The injury is behind [him] and hopefully he can stay fit."
Jose on the derby:
“Nobody likes to lose once, nobody likes to lose twice – I think that’s something every team in the world feels. When you lose a match, in the next one you have that little bit extra to give.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments