Stoke City 2 Sunderland 0: Poyet fumes over Brown red card

A furious Gus Poyet was adamant that Wes Brown did not deserve to be sent off after watching his Sunderland side slump to defeat at Stoke City.

With Stoke leading 1-0 thanks to Charlie Adam’s low strike into the bottom corner, Brown was given his marching orders after flying into a tackle on the Stoke midfielder, despite replays showing that he won the ball.

Steven Nzonzi then secured the victory when he slotted home in confident fashion after a swift breakaway, and Poyet was inconsolable after the final whistle.

“It was a key moment – a moment when we were trying to come back and take the game to Stoke,” said Poyet, whose side remain bottom of the table and three points from safety.

“We were down to 10 men for no reason. I would like to know why. If someone can explain I will think about it. I am sure there is no explanation so nobody will call me.

“I don’t even think it is a foul. Maybe Mike Riley needs to call me on Monday. I will have my phone on.”