Hughes: Dunn Sending Off Harsh

Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes feels that David Dunn's sending off was more than a little harsh (and quite rightly) during the 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

Although the sending off didn't necessarily cost us the defeat to Manchester United, it didn't help and for all intend and purpose left us with a near impossible mountain to climb in order to get back into the game. Hughes was not amused during the game (this was plain to see) and after it he shared his thoughts on Dunn's two yellow cards, the first of which was for literally nothing.

Hughes told Setanta Sports: "There were 75,000 people in the stadium looking forward to a really competitive second half.

"I didn't think there was anything in the first tackle at all and the second one just a mistimed challenge. Overall, I felt it was pretty unfortunate.

"I accept it must be quite intimidating for referees at Old Trafford but I don't remember getting decisions like that when I played here."

Nevertheless, despite the sending off Sparky was pleased with how we reacted to this, and how we stayed strong. Even before this, but for a little more fortune if Christopher Samba has not seen his effort come back off the woodwork and David Bentley (despite his wrongly named shirt!) could have only seen his attempted goal line clearance for Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal come back and out from off the bar rather than off it and into the net things could have been different.

Hughes added: "I am just pleased we didn't go under because a lot of sides, in similar circumstances, would have done."

The defeat (after the two Ronaldo goals) brings and end to an unbeaten run, and also sees Rovers suffer their first defeat to one of last seasons top four, but still there is plenty to be excited about this season.


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