Pep Guardiola involved in confusing exchange with reporter over Rico Lewis red card against Crystal Palace

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola became engaged in an awkward and confusing exchange with a reporter over Rico Lewis’ red card against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Premier League champions lost further ground in pursuit of an unprecedented fifth consecutive English top-flight title at the weekend as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Oliver Glasner’s side in the capital.

Daniel Munoz put the hosts ahead inside five minutes before Erling Haaland would hit back to bring the scores level into half-time. Maxence Lacroix would put Palace back ahead only for Rico Lewis to score his third goal for Manchester City, and his third against the Eagles.

However, it would be the latter who would endure the ultimate mixed fortunes in the second-half as a quick-fire double-booking from Rob Jones saw Lewis sent off and suspended for next weekend’s Manchester derby against Ruben Amorim’s United.

Speaking after the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, manager Pep Guardiola was quizzed for his thoughts on Rico Lewis’ dismissal via a second yellow card at Selhurst Park, to which he responded with a relatively confusing answer.

“It’s because it’s Rico,” Guardiola responded. “It’s Rico,” he reaffirmed.

When apologising once more over not being able to under Guardiola, the Manchester City manager told the reporter, “It’s because it’s Rico.”

The reporter then double-checked in response, “It’s because it’s Rico Lewis you think he got the yellow card?” to which the Manchester City manager said, “It’s a yellow card?”

“No, I’m asking you; did you think it was a yellow card?” the reporter asked once more. “It’s Rico Lewis,” said the 53-year-old in response again.

Pep Guardiola has been a huge supporter of Rico Lewis throughout the 20-year-old’s breakthrough into Manchester City’s first-team set-up midway through their eventual Treble-winning campaign of 2022/23.

Displacing Joao Cancelo in the line-up and disrupting Kyle Walker’s position in the squad that season, Lewis brought a fresh intelligence and view towards the full-back role, inverting into midfield to offer more numbers in possession of the ball.

And with an increasing list of injury problems facing Manchester City this season, Rico Lewis has taken on much greater responsibility for the club throughout the ongoing campaign, and his absence against Manchester United next weekend will no doubt be felt.