Coyle sees red with rival Bruce after insisting Cattermole was lucky to remain on the field

Lee Cattermole was at the centre of an angry touchline confrontation between managers Steve Bruce and Owen Coyle, with Bolton boss Coyle claiming: 'The boy should have been sent off.' The flashpoint came three minutes after halftime when Sunderland's Cattermole, booked earlier following a challenge on Stuart Holden, caught striker Johan Elmander's ankle and sent him crashing to the ground.Fortunately for the Sunderland skipper, referee Chris Foy did not even award a free-kick when television replays clearly showed Elmander was fouled. The two team bosses immediately clashed and were separated by the fourth  official. Boiling point: managers Owen Coyle(right) and Steve Bruce clashLater, Bolton boss Coyle declared: 'I think Lee Cattermole is a terrific player and I never want to watch players sent off. I want it 11 v 11 and may the best team win. But the lad was on a yellow card and he clearly fouled Johan Elmander nowhere near the ball. 'Steve felt he got a bit of the ball but we're biased. I would have thought the referee would have been better placed to give it but he let it go. 'We took charge of the game from that point on. Did I feel he was lucky not to get a second yellow card? There is no doubt about it. Refereeing is a difficult job but it was a clear foul.' Cattermole has already been sent off twice this season and his earlier booking means he will miss Sunderland's visit to Manchester United next Sunday. But Bruce defended his midfielder, insisting: 'I thought Cattermole's first booking was as innocuous at the last. He could have got a red, there's no disputing that, but the first one was harsh. We got away with one. 'I thought Chris Foy made a bit of a rod for his back but, for me, it has evened itself up. 'He has a suspension now. We will miss him. It was handbags at dawn with Owen and me. No problems.' But Bruce recognised he has considerable personnel problems for his return to Old Trafford. 'We have a lot of problems, especially in defensive areas. 'We have brought in Mensah, Bramble and Turner, who are all out now. We have thrown down the gauntlet to Anton Ferdinand and he has taken it. 'I will dampen down Europe. My aim has not changed - I want to make this club an established Premier League club.'  Sunderland striker Danny Welbeck reaping rewards of loan moveSunderland 1 Bolton 0: Black Cats move up to sixth after Danny Welbeck strike  Explore more:People: Johan Elmander, Steve Bruce, Owen Coyle, Lee Cattermole Places: Europe

Source: Daily_Mail