Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku says he is thankful he was not more seriously injured after a high studs-up tackle by Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot.
Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku says he is thankful not to be more seriously injured after a studs-up high challenge by Diogo Dalot in the Manchester derby.
The United defender caught the Belgian winger inside the first 10 minutes of City's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Old Trafford on 17 January.
Referee Anthony Taylor showed Dalot a yellow card and the decision was supported by the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, who deemed the contact "glancing and not with excessive force".
Premier League referees' boss Howard Webb later rejected claims his officials made a mistake by not showing a red card.
Portuguese full-back Dalot also told BBC Radio 5 Live it was the right decision not to send him off - and he was "really comfortable with what happened".
The injury prevented Doku coming off the bench in City's 3-1 Champions League loss at Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt following the United game.
And he said: "I saw the images as well. I can only say that I continued to play but was painful to play in Norway.
"You guys know my feelings about it. I could have [been out for a long time]. It happened and I didn't play in Norway but I don't want to go too much into it. It is the past now.
"Thanks to the Lord I didn't get injured badly and I am able to play now. It is the only thing I can focus on now."
'I am not a diver'
Doku was also on the receiving end of late challenge from Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera in Saturday's 2-0 win over Wolves.
The Colombian was booked for raking his studs down the back of Doku's leg and no further action was taken by VAR.
Asked if wingers get enough protection from referees, Doku added: "I don't know in general. That tackle [from Mosquera] was painful. I didn't ask the referee why he didn't give another card, I just know that it was painful.
"Knowing myself and my character, I know I am not a diver. If I fall on the ground then it is probably because something happened. In terms of laws, I just know that when I am on the ground I am not diving.
"It is their responsibility to see if it is a yellow or red, a foul or not a foul, that is their job."
Doku felt he was on the receiving end of a "strong tackle" or "heavy confrontation" at least once in every game, while boss Pep Guardiola also suggested his players are accused of diving when referees should instead blow for a foul.
The Belgian forward, 23, added: "Fouls is fine, as long as I don't get injured. I see it as a compliment, they can't take the ball. For me it is more about the diving thing. When I don't get a foul, I am not diving.
"That is sometimes frustrating because I know my character and if I fall on the ground, it is because something happened. Sometimes players tell me more to fall more on the ground. That is more frustrating for sure."
Category: General Sports
