"I did not see it from where I was sitting, but I could see that Cisse was late. I would have to see the TV replay before I decide. It was very difficult to have a good view of what happened."
Steve Bruce - quite ludicrously - suggested that Cole had kicked Cisse!:
"It was a big day for him and he has been sent off for two harsh decisions. I have asked Mr Riley to have a look at it again. He is going to look at it and hopefully reverse his decision, and Aliou Cisse will not be banned. I am not going to have a go at Ashley Cole. I think it's more Ashley Cole who has kicked Aliou."
Meanwhile that staunch Arsenal supporter and out-of-work manager David O'Leary leapt to the defence of young Ashley - NOT! - here's what he had to say on Sky TV after the game:
"Ashley Cole is a great player but he's getting a habit of getting people sent off and his conduct out there was disgraceful. The lad didn't go through his trailing leg, he didn't go anywhere near him and Cole got up quickly. There's no doubt that the referee has got it wrong, but they have a very difficult job and Cole hasn't helped him."
Get a job and mind your own business O'Leary.