Man City vs Wolves: Pep Guardiola blames 'unacceptable' ball for City's struggles
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has blamed the ball for his side's struggles against a heroic Wolves side in the Carabao Cup.
City eventually edged past Championship table-toppers Wolves 4-1 on penalties after an entertaining 0-0 draw.
Wolves missed a number of great chances to snatch the tie and progress into the quarter-finals, but Guardiola has suggested his side, featuring the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero, were hindered by an 'unacceptable' ball.
"The ball is not acceptable to play with... at that level," the City boss said.
"We play with a different ball. It's not Nike, Adidas I don't know, it's a different brand. It's unacceptable to play with the ball.
"That ball is not a serious ball for a professional game.
"I say that because we won, eh? If I don't win, I don't say that because after that it's excuses. As I won, I can tell you: it is not acceptable to play.
"If it's for the marketing, for the money, for many reasons, it's okay but it's not acceptable to play with that ball.
"No weight, nothing.
"(We get the balls for) one day or two days, but the ball is bad two days, one month, one year, two years. It's bad, it's bad.
"The ball is unacceptable for the high of level of the competition.
"All the players complain. I assure you all of them say 'what is that?' Really. I am sorry Carabao Cup."
Guardiola says the Mitre Delta ball, which is used in English football league matches, made it "almost impossible" for Sergio Aguero to break City's long-standing scoring record last night, adding it would have been a "miracle" for him to score with it.
The EFL has today hit back, saying all the balls used in this Carabao Cup are of the same specification as used in the football league, all of which meet 'FIFA Quality Pro' standard.
A statement read: "The Mitre ball used in this season’s Carabao Cup is of exactly the same technical specification as the balls used in the Sky Bet EFL and Checkatrade Trophy.
"All of which are tested in accordance with the “FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs” and meet the “FIFA Quality Pro” standard. All balls used in the professional game are required to meet this standard.
"Clearly, preference is a subjective matter, but overall the entertainment provided across last night’s Round Four ties would suggest that the ball used is not having a negative impact in the competition.
"We will look to engage with Mr Guardiola and Manchester City to fully understand any concerns in advance of their Round Five tie."
