Sven rues Petrov's red

But he's non-plussed with Everton's complaints

Last updated: 25th February 2008

Petrov Martin City v Everton sent off

Petrov: Night to forget

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Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson lamented Martin Petrov's sending off, while playing down the significance of Everton's spurned penalty appeals in his side's Monday night defeat.

A lacklustre City outfit were brushed aside 2-0 by an Everton side that have now usurped Merseyside rivals Liverpool into the final UEFA Champions League spot in fourth place.

And it could have been much worse for City had referee Rob Styles elected to award Everton two penalties, with Micah Richards the offender on both occasions.

Unnecessary red

Toffees boss David Moyes was less than enamoured with the performance of Styles but Eriksson feels it is unnecessary to over-analyse the performance of the match officials given Everton won comfortably in any case.

"I haven't seen it (the penalty claims) but it really doesn't matter if it's a penalty or not. A 2-0 is a 2-0."

Eriksson was, though, less forgiving of Styles' decision to red card Petrov in the game's dying stages, after the Bulgarian was involved in a petulant kick-out at Everton's Leon Osman.

The Swedish tactician thought the decision was somewhat harsh given the non-violent nature of Petrov's actions.

"Some minutes before that (sending off) he did something so that way I can understand it but when it happened I didn't think it was a red card.

"It was not a kick, more like a tap but the referee thought that was right."