'A poor workman always blames his tools': Backlash continues over Guardiola's 'unacceptable' ball comment following Wolves game

Wolves fans have blasted Man City boss Pep Guardiola after his suggestion the match ball was to blame for his side failing to find the net in their Carabao Cup clash.

The two table-topping sides drew 0-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday before City ran out winners on penalties.

But in his post-match conference, Guardiola described the Mitre Delta ball as 'unacceptable for a high-level competition'.

It is the ball Wolves use on a weekly basis in The Championship and is also the regulation ball in Leagues One and Two.

Wolves fans have criticised Guardiola for what they described as a 'ridiculous' claim – with 97 per cent of Express & Star readers suggesting the Spaniard was 'talking rubbish' in an online poll.

Colin Peppiatt posted: "Ridiculous. As if Mitre balls are inferior to Nike or Adidas. Nonsense."

Gary Smith said: "They didn't have any problems sticking it away in the shootout."

Meanwhile @ayabrummie wrote: "Must have been a petulant spoilt brat who’s not grown out of it. His players were all skill but could not break down our magnificent team."

Jayne Harris said: "A poor workman always blames his tools."

Tony Springthorpe wrote: "Have the BALLS Pep to admit you got out of jail last night – goalkeeper man of the match says it all."

Wolves missed a number of great chances to snatch the tie and progress into the quarter-finals, but Guardiola suggested his side, featuring the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero, were hindered by the '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.

"The ball is unacceptable for the high of level of the competition."

The EFL has hit back, saying all the balls used in the 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."

Nuno responds to 'ballgate'

Wolves' yesterday had brief hopes of a cup reprieve. But these were dashed after it was confirmed Manchester City did not break any rules regarding their extra time substitutions.

There were reports after the match that City could have breached competition rules by making two substitutes in extra time at the Etihad Stadium, with rules appearing to imply that only one sub could be made in that period.

But the EFL has since confirmed rules state four subs can be made across 120 minutes, with no bearing on how many are made inside 90 minutes or the 30 minutes extra time.

Wolves fans faced a challenging journey up to Manchester for the fixture, with major delays on the motorway after a fire near the Etihad Stadium.

Hundreds of supports watched the clash at Molineux on big screens erected for the occasion – packing out the North Bank Bar and WV1 restaurant.

*Is Pep Guardiola talking rubbish? Have your say in our poll online at expressandstar.com