My ball: David Moyes catches the ball and angers
Roberto Mancini
Red mist: Mancini grapples with Moyes
The two bosses could now face an FA rap after squaring
up in injury time. Everton chief Moyes caught the ball and held on
to it as he wanted to make a sub - but Mancini marched over to try
and wrestle it from him.
The Italian coach barged into his opposite number and a
heated exchange between the pair followed before ref Peter Walton
stepped in.
He ordered both managers from the touchline and even
though they played down the incident afterwards, the FA could take
a dim view of it.
Tensions between the clubs has been simmering over
City's pursuit of Toffees defender Joleon Lescott last summer and
last night it spilled over.
Moyes said: "I was very surprised to be sent off. I
didn't know what I'd done wrong. Maybe I held on to the ball for a
second or two longer than I should but I wanted to get a sub
on.
"I actually speeded things up by catching it. And I
wasn't the one who was out waving my hands like a yellow card.
"These things happen. He showed his passion for his
team and his club and I can accept that.
"I'm going to go to his office for a drink so I hope
he's there. "We were fired up but it was nothing really. I don't
know if I'll contest it but I shouldn't have been sent off - simple
as that."
Mancini said: "If I made a mistake I'm sorry. I only
wanted to get the ball because we had another five minutes at the
end.
"I was frustrated for the players and for me and for
the supporters. "If I was waving my hands then it can happen
sometimes. If it upsets people I will try not to do it again next
time.
"Yes, I will have a drink with him - there is no
problem. These things can happen during the game. "It's finished
now and I'm sorry about it. It was nothing, it's finished."
The incident capped a disappointing night for City as
they blew the chance to move back above Tottenham and into fourth
place. But it gives Everton renewed hope they could yet force their
way into the European reckoning thanks to goals from Tim Cahill and
Mikel Arteta.
Moyes added: "We should all be talking about the
outstanding performance of Everton, spirit, quality football.
"Whether we can make the top six or seven now, I'll have to have a
look but we are playing catch up now, we're coming from miles
behind."
Mancini added: "It was a frustrating night for us but I
still think we can finish in fourth."
