Wednesday 4 March 2015 12:59, UK
Premier League managers Steve Bruce and Gus Poyet had to be separated in a fiery argument during Tuesday night's 1-1 draw between Hull and Sunderland.
Dame N’Doye scored an early opener for the Tigers, only for Jack Rodwell to salvage a point for the visitors with a header on 75 minutes on a lively evening at the KC Stadium.
It was Rodwell's actions 10 minutes before the interval that sparked the frantic scenes when the midfielder was booked for simulation which fuelled a heated exchange between Bruce and Poyet.
Unhappy with not getting a penalty, a fuming Poyet kicked over a crate full of drinks before approaching Bruce and after the Uruguayan attempted a handshake, more words were spoken and an enraged Bruce seemed to lunge at Poyet with the Hull City boss having to be restrained by a linesman and members of his coaching staff.
Poyet was sent to the stands by referee Mike Dean for the rest of the game where he will have enjoyed seeing his side hit back in the second half to pick up a point and pull away from the relegation zone.
Bruce said: "These things happen in the heat of the moment. Grown men acting like a couple of children! Let's go and have a glass of red wine!"
Poyet told Sky Sports: "I think it is better to kick a bucket than say something you would regret after, so I have no regrets. If it’s a bad image for football I am really sorry but I don’t think it is something we should worry about."
Asked what was said between himself and Bruce, Poyet added: “I am old fashioned, what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch."
Regarding Rodwell's actions in trying to win a penalty, Bruce said: "The big contentious issue was Rodwell running through and, from where I was standing, he took a run, a jump and a dive.
“The referee got it right, but Gus’ reaction means he obviously thought it wasn’t right. You’ll have to ask him the rest of it. Why has he come over to me? I don’t really know what I’m supposed to have done.
"These things do happen in big games and today was a big game. I suppose I’m not flavour of the month after Mark Hughes had a dig this afternoon and Gus tonight, but I hope he is OK. My door is always open, but I’m not sure what I’ve done to warrant what has happened. You better ask Gus that."
Tony Cottee, watching the match at Hull in the Soccer Special studios, provided his explanation to how the touchline drama erupted.
The Sky Sports football pundit said: "Rodwell went down and there weren’t too many appeals. Rodwell got a yellow card for diving. Gus Poyet was incensed and it appears he kicked over the water bucket.
"At which point, Mike Dean comes over and sends Poyet to the stands. Poyet then goes over to Steve Bruce to shake his hand, Bruce doesn’t go to shake his hands and Poyet then sarcastically applauds Steve Bruce. At which point Brucey totally lost it and the linesman did very well."
