‘Didn’t do it’ - Pep Guardiola gives Rodri red card verdict after Man City win vs Nottingham Forest

Pep Guardiola said Rodri did not carry out his half-time instructions on Saturday as Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at the Etihad.

The Spaniard received a straight red within the first minute of second period as he grabbed Morgan Gibbs-White by the throat. Guardiola was particularly disappointed by Rodri’s actions given he had told the midfielder - and his City team-mates - to remain calm during the half-time interval.

Rodri’s dismissal led to an awkward second period for the champions, who held off Forest's increased attempts to find a breakthrough strike. However, City managed to survive without conceding, to continue their perfect start to the Premier League campaign.

Asked about the card after the game, Guardiola said: “It’s eight years here and we know each other quite well. I said at half-time to be careful. Relax, and control your emotions. Unfortunately, Rodri didn’t do it. We have to accept it, the decision of, I don’t know the name of the referee.

"Hopefully Rodri will learn. The game was perfect after 35 minutes for both sides trying when it became chaos. Rodri has to control himself and his emotions. I can get a yellow card but Rodri can't. I don’t play. You have to be careful."

While Guardiola had no complaints with the red card, the ex-Barcelona manager was disappointed with the performance of referee Anthony Taylor, who showed 10 yellows card during the match.

"The referee changed the game,” he said. “I don’t understand why the first action wasn’t a yellow card and the first action is a yellow card to us, I don’t understand. With all the yellow cards the responsibility is not Nottingham Forest or Man City’s, that’s for sure."

Guardiola also revealed Rodri, who will miss the next three league matches, apologised to his City team-mates after the match.

“Rodri is an incredible player. Kyle has done it in the past [apologise]. It’s emotions, they do it," said Guardiola. "The trick is to control yourself. I cannot control myself but I don’t play. Soon I’ll be in the tribune and being banned for too many yellow cards.”