Despite the huge importance of the action on the pitch during last night's Premier League clash between Hull City and Sunderland, which ended in a 1-1 draw, the major talking point afterwards seems to have been the 'action' off the pitch between the two rival managers. Both Hull's Steve Bruce and the Black Cats' Gus Poyet became hot under the collar as the tension in the game soared, as the two sides battled to retain their league positions just above the relegation zone. There was a flashpoint between the two managers, after Poyet had been sent off in the aftermath resulting from Jack Rodwell's yellow card for Sunderland.
Hull had seemed destined for a crucial three points after scoring early on through Dame N'Doye on 15 minutes, but they were pegged back late on as Rodwell had the last laugh, with an equaliser thirteen minutes from the end.
Bruce has since had time to calm down, but as the tensions mounted he had to be restrained during his confrontation with his rival manager, Poyet. Clearly recognising that things got a little out of hand at the time, he suggested that it was similar to "grown men acting like children." He added that the incident was something that occurred in the "heat of the moment". Poyet was similarly guarded in his reaction, stating that: "What happens on the pitch stays there," although presumably he was also referring to what occurs on the side lines outside of the pitch itself.
Poyet was sent to the stands but still had time to become involved in a heated argument with Bruce, before he would leave the pitch side. Bruce was restrained by both the fourth official and members of his own backroom staff. Poyet's sending off in the first-half was due to his reaction after referee Mike Dean had booked Rodwell for what he believed was simulation.
Out on the pitch itself, N'Doye had put the home side ahead with a neat back-heel past Sunderland keeper Costel Pantilimon on the quarter-hour but his side's advantage was negated, when Rodwell's header from a Patrick van Aanholt cross secured a point for the visitors. There were claims that the ball also struck his hand, but the officials decided that the goal should stand.
With Aston Villa securing a priceless victory at home to West Brom last night, moving them out of the bottom three on to 25 points, they are now just a point behind 16th placed Sunderland, with Hull a point and a place better off sitting 15th in the league table. No wonder the managers are getting a little anxious about things!
