Manchester City Football Club

• Nickname:Sky Blues
• Founded:1887
• Manager:Roberto Mancini

• Ground:City of Manchester Stadium
• Capacity:47805

Pearce stands by Corradi

21 Aug 2006 - 08:15:36

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Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has defended Italian striker Bernardo Corradi after he marked his Citizens debut with a red card in the 3-0 defeat at Chelsea.

Corradi was dismissed just past the hour mark, after being shown a second yellow card for a clash with Michael Essien, who Pearce claims had been deliberately winding his player up.

He said afterwards: "I told the fourth official that Bernardo had already been booked and he was caught by Essien when he put his studs down his shin.

"He was frustrated by that and he took his frustration out on Essien when he had the opportunity.

"The referee said it was another booking and we'll live with that.

"He was doing extremely well for his debut. He is an aggressive centre-forward who punches his corner. We'll make sure he won't get sent off every week."