Touchline bust-up as managers erupt
Sunderland's draw with Hull was more eventful off the field than on it, with the two managers squaring up to each other

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Sunderland drew 1-1 with Hull City on Tuesday night but the match was marred by an ugly touchline confrontation between the two managers.
Hull's Steve Bruce squared up to Gus Poyet after the Sunderland boss was sent off for his heated reaction to an on-field incident. When Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell was shown a yellow card by referee Mike Dean for simulation, Poyet exploded on the touchline and was subsequently dismissed. But according to BBC Sport, instead of heading to the stands the Uruguayan walked across to the Hull dugout to confront Bruce. There "the pair exchanged words before Bruce lost his cool and had to be restrained by an assistant referee and members of his coaching staff."Bruce remained coy afterwards on the nature of the conversation that sparked the melee, saying only: "I don't know what I was supposed to have done". He then described the incident as "grown men acting like a couple of children".Bruce added that in his opinion Rodwell had dived and deserved a yellow card. "The ref has seen it," he said. "From Gus's reaction, it looks as though he didn't agree."Rodwell had the last say in the match, however, heading a late equaliser to cancel out Dame N'Doye's early strike. The result leaves Hull in 15th spot with Sunderland breathing down their neck in 16th position, just one point behind.The touchline tete-a-tete was the culmination of a turbulent 24 hours for Sunderland manager Guy Poyet. On Monday Adam Johnson had been arrested for alleged sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl and the winger remains suspended by the Black Cats. Asked about the matter, Poyet told reporters: "The only thing I can tell you is that it was a very difficult day yesterday. Very difficult day. I never had one like that."In the night's other results, Southampton moved into fifth spot thanks to their first home goal in six and a half hours of match time. Sadio Mane was the man to end the goal drought, the Senegalese striker pouncing on the rebound after James Ward-Prowse's shot was parried by Crystal Palace keeper Julian Speroni.The result means the Saints – having played a game more than their rivals – are one point above Liverpool and one shy of Manchester United, both of whom play tonight. "We needed that three points because you saw today it wasn't the best game we played this season," conceded Southampton manager Ronald Koeman. "It's one of the key moments of the season with three points and 10 days off, the situation is more comfortable and will be good for the players."
Meanwhile Aston Villa's 2-1 win over West Brom moves them out of the relegation zone and handed Tim Sherwood his first win since becoming manager last month. Christian Benteke was Villa's hero, scoring the winner from the penalty spot deep into injury time. "When I left home my wife said she'd done the Euro lottery with a £54m jackpot," quipped Sherwood after the final whistle. "But I said I'd take three points all the way."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
5 tips to save on heating bills
The Explainer Follow these expert recommendations for a cozy and cheap winter
By Becca Stanek Published
-
Should you fire your financial adviser? 4 signs it's time to say goodbye.
The Explainer Breakups are never fun, but you have to protect your wallet
By Becca Stanek Published
-
The daily gossip: Man arrested in connection with shooting of Tupac Shakur, an OceanGate movie is in the works, and more
Feature The daily gossip: September 29, 2023
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City’s financial charges: what next for the Premier League champions?
feature The club is alleged to have breached financial rules around 100 times over a nine-year period
By Mike Starling Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published
-
Premier League festive fixtures to cause travel ‘chaos’ for football fans
feature English top-flight has confirmed the schedule for Boxing Day and New Year games
By Mike Starling Published