Source: Daily_Mail
Bolton 3 Manchester City 3: Did the ref have it in for Craig Bellamy?
Disbelief: Bellamy (left) is sent off by referee Mark Clattenburg[LNB]He came up with an alternative use for golf clubs long before Elin Woods and has never been far from controversy, but even his harshest critics would find it hard not to sympathise after the latest chapter in Craig Bellamy's colourful career.[LNB]The issue of referees allowing players' reputations to influence their decisions raised its head once again at the Reebok and overshadowed a riveting game that brought out the best and worst in Manchester City.[LNB]Allegations emerged yesterday comments by referee Mark Clattenburg to City's backroom staff before he showed Bellamy a contentious first yellow card and then incorrectly sent him off for diving. [LNB]As he came out for the second half, Clattenburg reportedly said: 'How do you work with Craig Bellamy all week?' [LNB] City boss Mark Hughes was infuriated and, for the second time this season at Bolton, there is controversy about referees allowing personal opinions to cloud their judgement.[LNB]In October, Bolton complained to referees' boss Keith Hackett, accusing Mike Jones of bias against Kevin Davies after manager Gary Megson claimed his striker was receiving unfair treatment, only to be told by the match official: 'Have you seen his stats?'[LNB]City are unlikely to make a formal protest to Hackett, who insisted yesterday that it is a matter for the FA even though there is no right of appeal because Bellamy was sent off for two yellow cards rather than a straight red.[LNB] Rescue act: Tevez celebrates grabbing City's equaliser[LNB]But Hughes was furious that Clattenburg singled out Bellamy, claiming there were several City players complaining he had made a mistake by awarding Bolton a throw-in in the build-up to their third goal, and then blundered again by deciding the player was trying to cheat when replays showed he had indeed been clipped by Bolton defender Paul Robinson.[LNB]'The decision was laughable,' said Hughes. 'It's quite clear that the guy has taken Craig out.'[LNB]Bellamy's reputation for heckling opponents and match officials means he will probably find sympathy in short supply outside of his own club.[LNB]But those familiar with an eventful career on and off the pitch not least the incident when he threatened former Liverpool team-mate John Arne Riise with a golf club in Portugal might be surprised to learn it was his first red card in more than seven years.[LNB] Can't please them all: Bolton fans vent their frustration at manager Gary Megson[LNB]The controversy also detracted from a wonderful game that saw City come from behind three times despite playing the last half-hour with 10 men.[LNB]Carlos Tevez was simply magnificent, following up his match-winning performance against Chelsea with two goals either side of a superb move finished off by Micah Richards.[LNB]However, City's attacking performance should not paper over another flawed defensive display that saw them draw for the eighth time in nine Premier League games.[LNB]Despite spending almost £40m on defenders in the summer, they have now conceded three against Burnley and Bolton, and can ill afford to be so charitable at Tottenham on Wednesday. [LNB] Ivan the not so terrible: Klasnic clebrates putting Bolton into the lead[LNB]Richards acknowledged it was not good enough, admitting that City's attacking instinct is always likely to make them vulnerable. [LNB]'When we go forward, we all tend to go and that leaves gaps at the back,' he said. 'Some of us lost concentration at times.'[LNB]Like Tevez, Bolton striker Ivan Klasnic scored the first and third of his side's goals and Gary Cahill weighed in with a sublime second, curled beyond Shay Given from 20 yards.[LNB]But asked whether it was a point gained or two lost, Klasnic admitted Bolton had blown a chance to move above relegation rivals West Ham, who visit the Reebok tomorrow. [LNB]'We must soon get three points to get out of the ****,' said the Croatia striker.[LNB] Bolton 3 Manchester City 3: Hughes sees red over Bellamy dismissalVIDEO: Bolton boss backs Man City counterpart Hughes over ref rageAfter Maynor Figueroa's goal lit up the Premier League Sportsmail remembers 10 great goals from the top flightALL THE MANCHESTER CITY FC
