Manchester City extended their Premier League winning run to 11 games as Rodri scored in injury time to settle a heated contest against 10-man Arsenal.
The usually straight-faced Pep Guardiola was in the mood to celebrate New Year’s Day – and his message left the BT Sport studio in stitches.
Manchester City’s manager endured an action-packed start to 2022, as he took his Premier League leaders to face Arsenal in the day’s lunchtime kick-off.
They came out as 2-1 winners, thanks to Rodri’s stoppage-time goal, but it was his antics before the game that also proved to be a talking point.
After giving his routine pre-match TV interview to BT Sport, Guardiola appeared to have finished his chat – only to pop back in front of the camera and joyfully wish viewers “a Happy New Year”.
His reaction left Jake Humphrey, Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott in hysterics, and they were left with plenty more talking points after watching an entertaining clash at the Emirates.
Manchester City have now extended their Premier League winning run to 11 games as Rodri scored in injury time to settle a heated contest against 10-man Arsenal.
Guardiola’s side had not been at the races until they were awarded a penalty on 57 minutes, with Riyad Mahrez converting to cancel out Bukayo Saka’s opener before Rodri struck in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory.
An ill-tempered affair had seen Gabriel Magalhaes sent off after being booked twice inside two minutes, with Arsenal unable to hold on for a deserved point.
Match-winner Rodri admitted the champions had to fight hard to leave north London with all three points.
Speaking to BT Sport, he said: “You always have two or three games like this in a season. They showed why they are bin their position – the way they have grown with Mikel [Arteta] is huge.
“We know they have more rest than us. They have six days to prepare, we have three games in one week and travel. It is tough sometimes, when you don’t have the physicality.
“We have to maybe play a bit more easy. We struggle in the first-half but took control in the second a bit more and do more our game. They did a great game but we showed our champions personality.”
