Source: Daily_Mail
Referee Mark Clattenburg on the spot again after Mario Balotelli elbow
Referee Mark Clattenburg was embroiled in another elbow controversy on Wednesday night.Clattenburg booked Mario Balotelli for felling Aston Villa's Chris Herd in Manchester City's 3-0 FA Cup win.But the clash appeared far less serious than Wayne Rooney's challenge on Wigan's James McCarthy on Saturday, for which the referee failed to show a card.Read Ian Ladyman's report on Manchester City's progress past Aston Villa to an FA Cup quarter-final meeting with Reading The clash: City striker Balotelli (right) and Villa's Herd come together at EastlandsClattenburg was faced with anotherbig decision in the second half of City's fifth-round success. WithVilla players and coaching staff on their feet imploring him to takeaction, the official issued just a yellow card. Villa manager Gerard Houllier said: 'It was right in front of me. It looked harsh at the time but I have seen it again and I don't think he did it on purpose.' City manager Roberto Mancini replaced Balotelli immediately after the second-half incident, no doubt concerned that the striker would add to the nine cautions he has already picked up this season. Flashpoint: Balotelli (45) sees yellow from Clattenburg (fourth left) after the challenge on Herd (floored) City will face Reading at Eastlandsin the next round of the competition after an easy win that was securedby goals from Yaya Toure, Balotelli and David Silva. Houllier faces criticism for leavingout first-team players such as Stewart Downing and Ashley Young, but hesaid: 'If I had to do it again, I would.' Escape: Clattenburg declined to send off Rooney after a challenge on Wigan's McCarthy last SaturdayMancini admitted he took a gamble by using Balotelli as a lone striker and said: 'I took a risk to play only Mario up front," said Mancini, who axed both Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko.'But Mario played well and scored a fantastic goal. I was very pleased with the overall performance. This game was very important for us.' Manchester City 3 Aston Villa 0: Yaya and Balotelli bullets shoot down VillansFA CUP LIVE: Arsenal 5 Leyton Orient 0 and Manchester City 3 Aston Villa 0 - as it happenedSpineless! FA fail to punish Rooney and Chelsea let Cole off after shooting an internMancini wants to see more from inconsistent Super Mario Explore more:People: James McCarthy, Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney, Stewart Downing, Roberto Mancini, David Silva, Gerard Houllier, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez Places: Manchester