• Dutch striker accuses former colleague of intending
to injure
• Hughes requests leniency over goal celebration
Robin van Persie holds his face following a challenge
by Emmanuel Adebayor.
Manchester
City's sensational Manchester City's
sensational 4-2 victory over Arsenal,
maintaining their 100% winning start to the season, was soured
tonight when Arsenal's Robin van Persie accused his former
team-mate, Emmanuel Adebayor, of committing a "mindless and
malicious stamp" on him.
Adebayor, who scored City's third goal, looked lucky to stay on
the field in the 70th minute when his apparent assault went unseen
by referee Mark Clattenburg. Replays suggested that Adebayor knew
what he was doing when his right foot made contact with a prone Van
Persie, though he denied it after the game. If Clattenburg confirms
he did not see the incident, the FA could ban Adebayor on video
evidence.
There was clearly contact close to the Dutchman's eye and he
needed treatment for a facial wound. Van Persie said: "I knew he
was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body
to allow contact to be made.
"He moved backwards when his natural momentum would have taken
him forward. I find that deeply disrespectful. He has shown a real
lack of class today, to me and the fans."
Arsenal supporters were further infuriated when, 10 minutes
after the stamping incident, Adebayor taunted them after scoring to
put City 3-1 ahead. He then shot off to the other end of the pitch
like Usain Bolt and slid on to his knees in front of the away
supporters with his arms raised.
As he celebrated his goal, Arsenal’s fans vented their fury. A
steward was hit by a bottle and a plastic chair – belonging to a
photographer – was thrown at the player.
The former Gunners striker, who joined Manchester City in a
£25million summer deal, sparked frightening scenes at
Eastlands.
Adebayor said his collision with Van Persie was unintentional
but the Arsenal man was unconvinced. "I do feel lucky that I have
not suffered a greater injury," he said. "The contact was only
centimetres from my eye. I have not received an apology from him,
there were no words exchanged afterwards. He had his own agenda
today and that is bad for football. It's bad for the game we all
love. I want to make it clear that this has nothing to do with the
result of today's match. We do not hide from that disappointment
but I need to speak out about his behaviour."
