Pep Guardiola praises Kyle Walker's honesty after Tottenham full-back admits he was lucky to escape punishment for clear push on Manchester City's Raheem Sterling 

• e-mail

Kyle Walker has admitted he was lucky to escape without punishment for pushing Raheem Sterling at a crucial moment during Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Saturday.

With the game finely poised at 2-1 to City, Sterling had the chance to secure victory for his side when he raced clear on goal, only to scuff his shot following a clear push in the back from Walker.

Referee Andre Mariner failed to spot the incident and waved play on despite appeals from the City players and just a minute later Tottenham equalised when Son Heung-min rounded off a flowing move.

Manchester City let a two-goal lead slip at home to Tottenham on Saturday afternoon

Kyle Walker went unpunished for a clear foul on Raheem Sterling at a crucial moment 

Walker admitted he was lucky to escape a red card but believed Tottenham deserved a point

In his post-match interview, Walker admitted he had committed a foul on Sterling but believed his side deserved to take something from the game, regardless of the crucial push.

'I wasn't going to get it otherwise, you just have to put him off as much as possible,' Walker told BT Sport.

'Hugo [Lloris] made the save as well and we went on to hang on to the draw which I think we deserved in the second half.'

City boss Pep Guardiola was incensed with the decision as it lead to Tottenham's equaliser

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was incensed with the decision but refused to blame the result solely on the referee and admitted his side paid the price for failing to take their chances.

'We lost because we missed a lot of chances, the same with Everton and Chelsea,' he said. 

'We missed a lot of chances, when that happens – we are playing against Tottenham and they are a top, top, top, top team,' he added.

However, he refused to blame the final result solely on referee Andre Marriner after the game

'This kind of things happen. After that, when you make these chances, the referee doesn't matter.'

Guardiola also praised Walker for his honesty after the match: 'What did Walker say? He say he push him. Okay, thank you Walker for being honest. 

'I know this country people like being honest. So I appreciate.'