‘Really stupid’ – Nicky Butt savages ‘lazy’ Man City player for what he did vs Monaco
Manchester City were the architects of their own downfall as they conceded a late penalty to draw 2-2 with Monaco on Wednesday.
Man City twice took the lead through Erling Haaland, but Jordan Teze’s strike and Eric Dier’s 90th-minute spot-kick ensured that the hosts earned a point.
Pep Guardiola’s men face Villarreal in their next Champions League game on 21 October, and will search for the second win of their European campaign in Spain after previously beating Napoli.
Meanwhile, Guardiola was left angered by the penalty decision that saw his side drop two points in Monaco.
Nicky Butt hammers Nico Gonzalez over Man City penalty incident
Nico Gonzalez’s high boot on Dier saw Man City concede a last-gasp penalty against Monaco, which the former Tottenham defender took full advantage of by scoring from 12 yards.
Discussing the incident on BBC One’s Champions League Match of the Day [1 October], Nicky Butt said: “I think it’s a bit lazy from the defenders. I think Dier has made a really strong, aggressive run from the deep and the defenders have let him just bully them.
“They’ve put a lazy little foot up into the air. You can see there, he starts deep, he runs from deep. It’s really aggressive and the defender’s just lazy to put their foot up. It’s really stupid. I don’t think there’s much contact, but it’s a really stupid thing to do in such a big game, in the box in the last few minutes.
“You’re going to get a penalty for that, there’s no doubt about that.”
Pep Guardiola will be determined to maintain strong form
Even though the Etihad Stadium side couldn’t earn all three points in Monaco, they will still be pleased to have earned four points from their first two Champions League games, while they have now gone six games unbeaten across all competitions.
| Man City’s last three results | All competitions |
| Huddersfield (A) | 0-2 W |
| Burnley (H) | 5-1 W |
| Monaco (A) | 2-2 D |
When Man City lost successive games to Tottenham and Brighton in August, it seemed to already come as a major dent to their season, having dropped well below their previous standards last term.
However, now that defending champions Liverpool have lost in the Premier League, Guardiola’s men are just five points behind the Anfield club, and will believe that they can rival both Arne Slot’s side and Arsenal in the title race.
Man City can earn their third win in four attempts in the top flight if they defeat Brentford in West London on Sunday, 5 October, although they will be wary that the Bees are in a buoyant mood, after beating Manchester United last time out.