MANCHESTER City boss Mark Hughes slammed referee Martin Atkinson after City's painful derby defeat at Old Trafford.
Michael Owen scored in the 96th minute to seal a 4-3 win for United, and Hughes felt "robbed" after the Blues had come back three times to level.
A minimum of four minutes was signalled by fourth official Alan Wiley, with Owen scoring nearly 90 seconds after that time was up.
“In the end we feel really frustrated and, if it is not a too strong word, robbed because the ref has played seven minutes,” Hughes said.
“Alan Wiley tried to explain he added the time for our celebration but I looked at the video and that lasted 45 seconds.
“Where he has got the seven mnutes from I have no idea. We’re desperately disappointed because I felt we deserved something.”
Sky Sports cameras picked up an incident between Bellamy and a fan, with suggestions the City striker pushed the supporter in the face.
“I’m sure people will make a nuisance about that,” Hughes added.
“I seem to recall Brian Clough clipping someone around the ear and he was lauded as a national hero. Maybe it will be the same case with Craig but I doubt it.”
Wayne Rooney put United ahead before Gareth Barry equalised after a blunder by Reds goalkeeper Ben Foster. Darren Fletcher and Craig Bellamy then scored two goals apiece - United taking the lead both times - before Owen's winner.
Hughes frustration
Hughes added: “Historically it has happened before. I was in teams here where we always had a little bit of benefit. I never felt it was an issue when we played here.
“But since I have left maybe I have changed my view on that. I am not going to question anyone’s integrity but I do not know where has got seven minutes from. It would be nice to get an explanation but I don’t think I will.”
United could not hide their delight at the end of the match but Hughes disagreed with Sir Alex Ferguson that it could have been 7-0 to the champions.
“Maybe he feels the need to say that. I have an outstanding goalkeeper (Shay Given) who is paid to stop shots going in his net and that is what he does on a regular basis, ” said the City boss.
“You expect some point in a game at Old Trafford against a very good team to withstand some pressure. To suggest they were seven goals better than us is incorrect.
“They did seem quite excitable at the end of the game. It reminded me of Sir Alex and Brian Kidd. I saw Gary Neville running like a lunatic. It showed how much it meant to them.
“That is something we will take out the game. We knew we could compete against United and we did that. It is a game we can take many positives out of.
“Craig Bellamy has finished on the losing side. He has scored two goals that will probably never be bettered in his career. To be on losing side very difficult for him and the team to take.”
What do you think? Have your say.
Hughes: Blues were robbed
September 20, 2009
Comments
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Get a grip Hughsey, if you'd sorted out our tactics against a poor United team this would have been a comfotable win. Give Ireland his free role back. Drop Richards and bring in Onuaha/Zab then all will be well again. A shame we couldn't capitalise on such a lacklustre United display.
Robbed? Lol! Blues were second best would be about right!
Good for you Mark. Sod what the FA charge you with, and no doubt they will, defend your team to the bitter end. Lets see if the charge Bellamy and totally ignore the coin thrown at Tevez which hit Garrido. I wouldn't put it past them.
CITY FOR LIFE
nothing new the premiership is run by the four top teams, how often have we seen united win a game in the last seconds of extra extra time.
Furguson gets away with coments before matches that other managers would get in trouble for insiting the crowd. anyway old purple nose wont be managing for too much longer now thank goodness. Ive heard he is having plastic surgery to make his BIG mouth smaller
Toddy
Why wasnt there another minute added on after owen's celebration?! You can't add an extra minute on for our goal and then 10 seconds after theirs...
If City had of drawn the media had a a negative story ready to brush the result under the carpet..... they would have ignore the fact we went to OT and got a point and focused on trying to ban Bellamy for life..... in the same way the Arsenal result was conveniently forgotten and the focus was on Adebeyor.
We have to face it, the whole world is against Man City.....when we show the world what we can do - the world finds fault in one incident...... if we lose, the whole world rejoices and the medi have a field day about how much money we have spent but cannot win!
Anyone watching the MEN live blog would have seen that I predicted Owen would win it for United. In the 60th Minute at 2-2 I said 'don't bet against Owen winning it for Man Utd'
If you don't believe me - feel free to check it out.....
Me and my big gob...... sickening!
Good on yer bellers! Hope you cracked him a good one!
Barney Daniels Shooting Boots,
20/09/2009 at 17:25
It was hardly a lacklustre united display! Come on, don't get me wrong I'm gutted, distraught that we've lost and i'm proud of our resilience but utd battered us for 20mins after our 2nd equaliser and we were kept in it because we have a sensational keeper. We looked like we would break every time we cleared the corners/free kicks etc unfortunately we didn't clear the ball to our own players often enough and so couldn't catch them on the break. Credit to the players for their hard work and resilience (instilled in them by Hughes) because I don't remember watching a city team that came back continuously like that against a good team for a long time.
On another note "Sky Sports cameras picked up an incident between Bellamy and a fan, with suggestions the City striker pushed the supporter in the face." what about the missile thrown at Garrido? That's gone quiet hasn't it! CTID
Thought the ref had a good game till the last ten minutes then six mins extra a joke but bias officals and the establishment ie f a dont like there gravy train being disturbed
WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!
"A minimum of four minutes was signalled by fourth official Alan Wiley, with Owen scoring nearly 90 seconds after that time was up."
Owen scored nearly 2.5 mins after time was up!!!
The 4 mins injury time was bad enough given no real stoppages in the 2nd half. To then play another 3 mins over that i.e. Fergie Time beggars belief.
If you ever wanted proof that the FA are corrupt you certainly got that today.
Martin Atkinson should have the book thrown at him if the FA are to maintain any respect.
For 94 mins it was a cracking game...pity the 3 minute mini game after that spoiled things.
Lets see how the press react tomorrow...ha ha ha...Mmmmm i think we already know the score on that front!!!
Bluesy,
I think you are getting carried away in the heat of the moment. IMHO the game lacked true quality and class. It says a lot when the man of the match is 35 year old Giggs. On reflection i think this will go down as a big opportunity wasted for City.
Well done city we are proud of you but yet again the officials helped united again.
united are scum
Absolutley gutted but not surprised. If this had been the other way round Ferguson would have been on the phone to the FA by now!
It is absolutely scandalous that they get with this time and time again.
The referee is the sole arbiter of time and the game doesn't finish until the final whistle blows. City were second best today, nearly sneaked an undeserved draw and the 'contoversy' about time keeping is just afeeble excuse to mask the truth that City were flattered by the score line. There's always next week!!
We perhaps should have been more positive & gone after them after the second equaliser but this is still a work in progress. Breaking in to the cartel will be a difficult & long process.
The owners seem to to know that & realise it is a business slow burner & not a sport, controlled by forces off the pitch. It will take time but at least we know they can hear us loud and clear - banging on their door! Seldom has Ferguson been so desperate for a win.
Interesting times ahead - but don't forget, this really is a business & not a sport. No need to get wound up.
I am just watching the Chelsea vs Tottenham game Bassong was knocked unconcious and Drogba went down and had to be stretchered off - the game was stopped for several minutes for significant injuries. 98 minutes and 40 seconds were played. FACT - This did not happen in the derby match earlier today yet the referee kept the game going until Man U scored in the 97th minute and then he blew the final whistle 16 seconds later. I wonder if any unusual bets were put on this game today because this really does stink of match fixing. I am going to write to Mike Riley to explain what happened here and Michel Platini because as head of FIFA he really does need to investigate what's going on here.
Deal with it Sparky, the extra time was for anybody's to get a winner - it happened to be us, but could have been you. I think you should look at your own team and it's mentality - I mean in a drawn position and one side is begging for the whistle, for me that team smacks of "small", "little" club!
It says a lot when the so called champions have to resort to cheating to beat us...............
De Jong was man of the match, he was quality. Big question marks over the defence though. We were shocking at set pieces. Lescott looked lost and how much longer can we put up with 1 legged Bridge!
Today's game was absolutely fantastic. Okay, we were under the cosh for a while in the second half, but the class of Bellamy's goals were pure class and made the Rag goals look mediocre.
A sour taste has been left by the referee's unjustified addition of 4 plus 3 minutes of injury time in the second half. I'm at an absolute loss as to why this was added.
If referee's want respect, they need to earn it. Scurrying off to a locked room with the lines-men and fourth official without explanation is not the way to earn respect. The FA(rce) should bring in a rule where the referees have to justify their decision to add extra time.
Today's excuse for a referee needs to be brought to task, and banned from refereeing the next three games. Presently, they are immune from any recompense for poor decisions.
Anyone watching the MEN live blog would have seen that I predicted Owen would win it for United. In the 60th Minute at 2-2 I said 'don't bet against Owen winning it for Man Utd' If you don't believe me - feel free to check it out.....
Me and my big gob...... sickening!
Edski Vega, Nottingham
20/09/2009 at 17:37
I couldn't agree more with thar statement.
First the adebayor saga and now this!! too much to handle .. ctid.
Another ref with an Old Trafford Squad number. Atkinson is the new Riley.
However, Hughes must take his share of the blame on this one as when Utd were on top, he ought to have changed it and takes Giggs out of the game by putting Zabba on him....Utd were on top too long to hold and it did look like it was gonna be 3-2 from the 60th min if I'm honest.
When teams with Utd's experience dominate for a long time, you have to do something to try and upset their rhythm not stand with arms folded on the touchline.
Sorry the jury's still out for me with Clueless as he did not seem to know how to stop em.
As for allowing Fletcher 2 headers, his defensive coaches want shooting...no one attacking the ball.
Would someone answer me this question please?
What would you have all said if Bellamy had got the winner for you and not Owen for us? The extra time was given to both sides. It was Ryan Giggs with a sublime pass and Owen's finish that won the game. Although we dominated the play in the second half, your boys were always a threat.
I thought City and your fans contributed to a great Derby today.
Dodgy ref, who cares . . . . Poor defence when it matters . . . .I CARE.
Never mind the minutes and seconds after 90 minutes look at our defence, why oh why does MR warrant a seemingly " you'll play come what may " attitude from our manager when he is useless more often than not. WAKE UP SOMEONE GRASP THE NETTLE AND DROP HIM.
Why didn't Weis play, SWP was robbed of the ball more than he kept it.
What is the point of playing Petrov with eight minutes to play ?
enough said.
BLOODY HELL MANAGEMENT - - - - - MANAGE.