Pearce won't criticise Jihai red

Last updated : 21 March 2006 By Ben Collins

Webb seemed rather hasty to wip out his red card after Jihai had tussled with West Ham's Matthew Etherington in the 56th minute.

I'm yet to see it on TV, but at the time it seemed it was just a bit of pushing with Etherington the aggressor, yet he wasn't even shown a yellow.

The decision turned the game in West Ham's favour but Pearce, who said Jihai later apologised for his dismissal, refused to blame the ref.

"It happens at times," he told the City website. "The referee has made an honest decision and I will stick with that, I will never criticise referees.

"Jihai swung his arm out, there was no contact at all but we will live with the referee's decision.

"One thing I can say is that Jihai is one of the most honest players we have at this football club, he apologised to me and the coaching staff for being sent off, he's very disappointed."

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