David Moyes plays down Roberto Mancini touchline fracas

DAVID MOYES and Roberto Mancini both played down their touchline fracas after Manchester City's clash with Everton ended in explosive fashion.The rival managers confronted each other as a compelling Premier League encounter at Eastlands went into injury time with Everton leading 2-0.The remarkable incident was sparked by Moyes, who caught the ball ahead of making a late substitution.Mancini interpreted the Scot's action as time-wasting and went over to remonstrate angrily.Fourth official Howard Webb intervened and after Mancini had finally been calmed, referee Peter Walton sent both to the stands.The FA will now await Walton's report before considering whether further action is necessary.'I've spoken now with David and if I made a mistake I am sorry,' said Mancini, who is under pressure to deliver fourth place and Champions League football.'I wanted to get the ball because there was another five minutes at the end.'This can happen in a game but it is finished now.'I was frustrated for the players because we played a good game and sometimes it can happen where scoring a goal is impossible.'Moyes defended his actions and claimed he might even have been doing City a favour.Moyes said: 'Next time I might just let the ball run through.'I caught it because I was making a substitution, I would have thought it would actually have helped him.'I was very surprised, I didn't know what I had done wrong.He added: 'I thought he was picking on an old age pensioner because I think he is younger than me! I don't know why I was sent off. I grabbed the ball and I was wanting to make a substitution.'I could have let the ball go down the line but that would have been even worse so I grabbed it and kept it, hoping to make a substitution.'The next moment I think he was on top of me but these things happen in football. He was showing his passion for his football club and I have no problem with that.'I have no problem with Roberto. He has apologised but it shows he is passionate about his club and he wants his team to do well.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo