Football
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Steve Bruce and Gus Poyet acted like 'a couple of children', says Hull boss

Hull manager Steve Bruce admitted he and Sunderland boss Gus Poyet acted like "a couple of children" following a touchline altercation during their 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

The pair clashed after Poyet had been sent off by referee Mike Dean, with Hull leading 1-0 at the time. The Uruguayan walked over shake hands with Bruce, who had to be restrained by officials after appearing to react angrily.

Poyet's sending off came as a result of an on-pitch incident involving Jack Rodwell, who was cautioned for simulation.

Hull manager Bruce said: "The big contentious issue is Jack Rodwell running through and then from where I was standing he dived and the referee called it right.

"From Gus' reaction he thought it was wrong. You have to ask him why he came over to myself. I don't know what I was supposed to have done.

"These things happen in the heat of the moment. Grown men acting like a couple of children. They happen in big games. I don't mind being accused. I suppose I'm not flavour of the month. Let's go and have a glass of red."

The pair shook hands in a KC Stadium corridor after seeing goals from Dame N'Doye and Rodwell cancel each other out, but there was plenty of simmering resentment beneath the surface.

"We all do stupid things and we will wake up to stupid headlines. We'll both regret it in the morning, but we get on with our lives," said Bruce.

"What he said will stay between me and him... it's up to Gus to reveal what he said but I don't think he will.

"It wasn't very pleasant, like, 'Have a nice evening Steve.' But I'm not going to reveal it to sell your newspapers.

Bruce was also grateful to assistant referee Stuart Burt for his persistence in holding him back when the red mist descended.

"I thanked him, I'll probably have to buy him a beer too," he said. "A big heavyweight like me and he was a lightweight to be fair to him. He was exhausted trying to keep hold of me."

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