Commentator apologises after making infamous jibe live during Man City v Chelsea

Commentator Jim Beglin apologises after making an infamous jibe live during Man City v Chelsea in Saturday’s Premier League clash.

The ex-Liverpool and Leeds United defender has gone viral on social media after mistakenly calling Manchester City’s stadium by it’s nickname during their 1-0 win.

“You can hear the annoyance around the Emptyhad because…” the former Republic of Ireland full-back turned co-commenter remarked on Premier League Productions before immediately realising his error.

City are often mocked by opposing fans for what is judged to be a vast number of spare seats inside the ground and their lack of atmosphere, however their fans would no doubt be more concerned about the result than any banter thrown at them.

Jim Beglin actually called Ethiad Emptyhad😭😭🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/Oa4bB6q0E1

— Emile Smith Rowe(Future Baringo Senator 🇰🇪) (@KipkinerA) January 15, 2022

“I have the greatest respect for Manchester City Football Club,” he wrote. “In no way was my verbal error today intended to cause City fans any offence.”

Kevin De Bruyne scored the only goal of the game on the 70th minute, producing a trademark long-range strike to break Chelsea’s hearts as the win was a big one in terms of the title race, if that is even a thing anymore after that result.

Guardiola’s side were made to work for their result, with Thomas Tuchel’s men defending resiliently for the most part, only to be undone eventually.

“We knew if win today we make the gap bigger on them on the title,” the Belgian told BT Sport.

“We don’t have to look at that, we’ve been in this situation before where we are points ahead but even I think in the second year we were the same points behind and a lot of things can change and the momentum can swing very quickly.

“I think the team was focused on the job they needed to do – that’s the only thing we can really do.”

On the staggering 13-point gap, De Bruyne added: ” It is very hard because obviously I think they [title rivals] need to be almost perfect but there’s another team who is dangling there so just keep the momentum, keep doing what we need to do and try to win each game by each game.

Post-match, Tuchel claimed his team deserved a draw, telling BT Sport: “The result, yes [is disappointing], but this can happen. I think we deserved a draw, I think we defended very, very well and did not allow any big chances.

“One in the first half from a mistake from us but we were not under so much pressure that it was clear they would score. Performance wise this is okay, given that we had to change our back three again.

“Defensive wise I am absolutely okay with that performance, we deserved a draw, it would have been a fair result, but we don’t have it. We have won games like this against City and that feels very different but that is the way it is.

“We had eight or nine offensive transitions and zero touches in the box. That was a big problem today. Offensive wise the performance of the front players was simply a lack of position, a lack of timing and a lack of composure. We lost too many balls too easy and that was a big problem in our game today.”

Player ratings

Man City: Ederson (7), Walker (7), Laporte (7), Stones (6), Cancelo (7), Rodri (7), De Bruyne (9), Silva (7), Grealish (6), Foden (7), Sterling (7).

Subs: Gundogan (N/A), Gabriel Jesus (N/A)

Chelsea: Kepa (7), Rudiger (7), Silva (7), Sarr (6), Azpilicueta (6), Alonso (5), Kovacic (5), Kante (7), Pulisic (5), Ziyech (5), Lukaku (5).

Subs: Werner (6), Hudson-Odoi (6), Mount (N/A)

Man of the match: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)

Twitter users reacted as the commentator apologises after making the infamous jibe live on TV during Man City v Chelsea…

@Maihula_: You knew exactly what you were doing. And we are not complaining. I speak for all City fans

@TheRealMoh23: True, phrases you hardly use don’t just accidentally come out of your mouth. Today you got exposed because said live on air what you usually say around your friends.

@Mobyhaque1: You were just being honest Jim and nothing wrong with speaking the truth. Even Pep Guardiola has admitted it before.

@da5705: You shouldn’t have to apologise for telling the truth Jim. Especially about a club nobody has any respect for.

@Jeate88: We’re used to disgusting bias against Manchester city from the media. Just another day.

@RoboPaddyHunter: Fans cant take banter at all these days Jim, dont stop being yourself because some take offence at harmless humour. YNWA

@thecityzensfc: For City games i now prefer anyone as long as its not Peter Drury and Jim.. today every foul against City was soft according to them..and how do you make such a mistake,only means its something he says a lot??? im really convinced it was an intentional mistake

@lestrxb: All 7 of them are furious, Jim.

@Baggsie13: I thought this was something massive. I wondered what you’d said that was so offensive and wrong that you needed to tweet an apology. All this because you said Emptyhad? Seriously?

@iamsaad_1: You don’t have to apologize for stating facts Jim.

@Cellular_Jnr: Honestly I don’t care what you said bro… We love your work and we understand the football banter. Don’t take it personal bafana’s. That Emptyhad is the home of the league Champions. We turning the league into farmers league mchana

@Santi_Classorla: You were spot on, Jim. Don’t apologize.

@Archibald1010: You’ve upset all 3 of them Jim!

@OddsOnFPL: Good thing they have no fans so it won’t offend anyone.

Sort yourself out. Don’t tarnish your reputation.

— Grealish MCFC 💙 (@Kafkaesque_10) January 15, 2022