Ruben Dias voiced sharp frustration over the officiating at St James’ Park after Manchester City 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United, insisting the match-winning goal should never have stood.
Harvey Barnes struck twice for the hosts, including the decisive second-half finish that condemned City to only their second league loss of the campaign.
Dias himself had briefly equalized with a well-timed shot, but the defender’s strong performance was overshadowed by his anger at what he described as inconsistent refereeing around Barnes’ winner.
The controversy centred on contact between a Newcastle player and City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the moments leading up to Barnes’ second goal.
While the ball eventually fell kindly for the winger to convert, Dias argued the play should have been halted long before the shot nestled into the net.
Speaking after the match, the Portuguese centre-back made no attempt to hide his irritation.
“The second goal, I feel like we need to make it make sense because where is the sense in their player pushing our goalkeeper out of the goal,” Dias told Sky Sports.
“What are we allowing and for how long? It’s more like, sometimes you allow it and sometimes you don’t. Where is the rule? What can you actually do because in their second goal Gigi is in his place, he’s being pushed out and there’s no consequence, it’s allowed.
“I had the chance to see the review now and he’s pushing him away from the goal. We’re so picky with certain contacts but then one like this with the keeper, you allow it.
“It is what it is but if this is the rule, fine, then let us do the same.
“Back in the day this was a foul but now apparently it’s allowed. It’s one of them when you lose, people are going to say I’m finding excuses but it’s nothing like it. Newcastle were better and they deserved the win because they were able to finish more chances than us.
“In the end, all I’m saying is there needs to be a rule.”
Newcastle take their chances as City struggle to respond
The hosts were the better team during the Manchester City 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United. From the opening whistle, the atmosphere suggested a long night for the Sky Blues.
Newcastle pressed high, attacked directly, and showed far more sharpness in transition than City, who were sloppy in midfield and unusually passive out of possession.
The home crowd sensed vulnerability in a side that has often looked untouchable in the league, and Eddie Howe’s team wasted no time in exploiting it.
Barnes’ opener arrived through slick movement and a decisive finish, leaving Donnarumma with little chance as the ball curled into the corner.
City responded through Dias, whose well-directed header from a corner temporarily settled the away section and hinted at a possible shift in momentum.
But the equaliser failed to spark the sustained pressure City usually exert in such situations.
Instead, Newcastle continued to win key duels, snapping into challenges and forcing turnovers that prevented Pep Guardiola’s side from dictating the rhythm.
The Cityzens managed spells of possession, yet the hosts always looked the more threatening side in the final third.
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City’s frustration grew steadily, and when Barnes capitalised for his second goal, the mood inside the stadium was electric.
Players in sky blue protested immediately, gesturing towards Donnarumma and appealing to the referee, but play was allowed to continue after a brief check.
The goal stood, and Newcastle’s players celebrated wildly as the visitors argued their case.
Dias’ anger was not rooted simply in the setback of conceding—it was the feeling that the decision contradicted how similar situations are often judged in Premier League matches.
The defender accepted Manchester City 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United, but insisted the laws of the game should be applied in a way that leaves no room for uncertainty.
