Manchester City midfielder Rodri called on referees “to be neutral” in a furious tirade after their Premier League title bid suffered another setback following a 2-2 draw at Tottenham.

City were cruising towards victory in north London at 2-0 up on Sunday, but the momentum swung in Spurs’ favour after a goal by Dominic Solanke was allowed to stand despite the forward appearing to foul Marc Guehi before making contact with the ball.

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Solanke then produced a stunning scorpion kick to equalise and leave City six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

“I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it’s not fair,” Rodri told Australian broadcaster Stan Sport.

“At the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because it’s so clear the foul. He kicked the leg and of course with the push of the action on the ball, the ball goes in.

“We have to pay attention to these little things otherwise it’s going to be difficult for everyone because this league is like this – it’s about small details and everything counts, so I think today is a very tough day for us in this sense.”

Guardiola was left to bemoan Tottenham’s first goal, saying: “If a central defender does it to a striker, it’s a penalty.

“The game was well played and sometimes for long balls and second balls you miss it.

“We would prefer not to have the transition but an emotional issue for the first goal that the referee conceded to Spurs and after that the momentum is difficult to control.”

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Guardiola was booked for his protests and looked in disbelief when the incident was played on big screens inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The controversial call was just the latest decision that City feel has gone against them in recent weeks.

Pep Guardiola claimed last week that the club’s success during his golden era had come “despite” decisions consistently going against his side.

“It’s one game and another game and it’s not possible,” added Rodri. “He anticipated the leg of Marc and it’s a clear foul, but it’s not today. It’s two or three games in a row and I don’t know why, honestly.”

In their previous Premier League outing, a 2-0 victory at home to last-placed Wolves, Guardiola said of debutant referee Farai Hallam: “now everyone will know him”.

The comment came after Hallam became the first referee of the season to ignore VAR and back his own decision to not award City a penalty for a handball.

Guardiola drew much criticism for the comment, but backed his demands for an explanation as well as apologising to Hallam.

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Before last week’s Champions League win against Galatasaray, Guardiola said: “They defend each other with their statements, always, completely understandably – they have to do that. (Referees chief) Howard Webb defends the referees.

“But, at the same time, I have to defend my club. How many times last season did I criticise referees – our worst season in 10 years? How many times? It never happened.

“Against (Manchester) United, after the game, what were my comments about the referees?

“I was incredibly respectful, in 9-10 years, with the referees. Never ever – with defeats – I never comment on absolutely anything.

“When I do it, it’s because I believe it’s fair enough to tell.”

“I’m so sorry. If he felt offended I’m so sorry,” Guardiola added.

“I know it’s not easy on debut and it happened. I know they are sensitive, everyone. I know that.”