Pep Guardiola rages at referee after 'leg-breaker' tackle on Man City star | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola accused Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke of lunging into a tackle that could have broken Jeremy Doku's leg had the Belgian not leapt out of the way.

Doku's self preservation was rewarded with a yellow card for diving by referee Simon Hooper, sending Guardiola into a blind fury on the touchline.

This alleged assault came in the second half of an engrossing 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. City twice took the lead only to be pegged back on each occasion by their spirited visitors.

While more dropped points leaves City's charge for Champions League qualification in the balance, Guardiola was more immediately concerned with clearing Doku's name. "If he doesn't jump, he could break his leg," the Catalan coach seethed after the game. "To go on the grass is a tackle and he jumps so there is no contact. Jeremy is not a diving player.

"They should know but it is what it is. We didn't win or lose because of that decision. I said to the referee: 'If he doesn’t jump he'd have been kicked hard.' He jumped to protect himself but it doesn't matter, don't ask me about that."

Jeremy Doku had to hurdle numerous challenges on Saturday / Matt McNulty/GettyImages

City have clashed with referee Hooper in the past. The official from Wiltshire infamously failed to play advantage just as the defending champions were launching one final forward thrust in the closing stages of a 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last season. Premier League referees chief Howard Webb subsequently admitted that Hooper was "devastated" and "remorseful" after the misstep.

Looking beyond the errant booking, Guardiola managed to strike a largely optimistic tone despite City's perilous league position in the race for European football next season.

"It was a good game. A tight game - I know how difficult it is to make the process which we're in now. The players gave everything - we take the point and we keep going."

When asked about City's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League, Guardiola insisted: "Of course, I have confidence and I always have."