Hull manager Steve Bruce has defended George Boyd as the forward waits to see if the Football Association will take any further action over his altercation with Joe Hart in the second half of Manchester City's 2-0 win at the KC Stadium on Saturday.
Video footage appeared to suggest the Hull substitute spat in Hart's direction after the goalkeeper had reacted furiously to Boyd's fall under his challenge in the box in the 69th minute.
Referee Lee Mason booked Hart for his part in the incident with Boyd, who later added to the controversy by insisting Hart "put his head in" and should have been sent off.
The FA will now await the referee's report before deciding whether further action is required over the incident, which soured a fine win for a City side who had been reduced to 10 men in the 10th minute after captain Vincent Kompany was dismissed. The Belgian may also face further punishment for his reaction to being sent off.
But Bruce refuted the spitting allegation, labelling it as "a load of rubbish" and adding: "He (Boyd) has tried to talk and shout and something's come out. That's what I've seen of it.
"George Boyd wouldn't do that, no chance. Not deliberately, anyway. He is as honest as they come - he was playing non-league six years ago."
Bruce also backed Boyd over the suggestions of diving, accepting Mason got it right in not awarding a spot-kick but adding: "George has tried to go round the goalkeeper and he has lost his balance.
"Boyd is going at full tilt and he's expecting to get clattered. To be fair to Joe he has done what every experienced goalkeeper does - he's pulled himself out of the road. George is trying to take evasive action rather than simulate to get a penalty."
Boyd, who was at the centre of another, arguably stronger penalty call when he fell under Fernandinho's challenge two minutes later, criticised Hart's reaction to the initial incident.
He said: "He didn't nut me but he's put his head in, so he should have got sent off really.
"He said after he didn't touch me, but I thought he touched me a little bit. He came (after the game) and said he didn't touch me. He apologised for the reaction and that's it."
Source: PA
