Sommeil spit row sours victory as Rovers add to City blues
Sommeil claimed after Thursday’s defeat at home to Arsenal that he was racially abused by Gunners forward Robin Van Persie, a complaint the FA are currently looking into.
Three days later Sommeil became embroiled in what Rovers manager Mark Hughes has described as “an unsavoury incident”.
If caught on camera then Sommeil, destined to leave City this summer as he is out of contract, is certain to be punished by English football’s governing body.
The Frenchman was later involved in another of the game’s highlights on the hour which resulted in a straight red card for Blackburn midfielder Tugay,
The former Turkey star launched himself into a tackle on the Frenchman, and although minimal contact was made, referee Howard Webb dismissed the veteran campaigner.
Hughes said: “I honestly didn’t see that. I was trying to organise a couple of substitutions at the time, but I have since spoken to Tugay and he said he didn’t catch him (Sommeil).
“But the player was not our favourite person at the time anyway because he was involved in an unsavoury incident with Paul Dickov in the first half. Paul showed real control to stop the situation escalating, with their player hardly covering himself in glory.”
That incident and Tugay’s dismissal took the shine off a 2-0 victory for Blackburn, ending the season with their highest Premiership points total since winning the title 12 years ago.
But at least Hughes was delighted with the manner in which his players transformed themselves from relegation candidates last season to UEFA Cup contenders for next season following their sixth-placed finish in the league.
“We have done a great job,” added Hughes. “I am absolutely delighted, with the performance today typifying the qualities we have shown throughout the season. In going down to 10 men it was always going to be difficult, but I thought the guys were excellent.
“To finish just four points behind the Champions League places has been a huge effort by everybody. We have been good value for it over the season, in particular in winning games against the top guys in Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.
“We showed real drive and determination not to get beat, and we’ll have to do that again next season if we are to improve.”
City manager Stuart Pearce faces a long, hard summer after ending the season with nine defeats from their last 10 matches.
This latest loss was sparked by a blunder from goalkeeper David James, who dropped a 35th-minute corner from Sergio Peter, allowing centre back Zurab Khizanishvili to score.
Blackburn then wrapped up the points seven minutes after the break when Shefki Kuqi poached his eighth goal of the season from six yards, following a cross from Brett Emerton.
Pearce said: “A run of form like we have been on would take us down if the season continued for another two months, I’m glad it is over. We have a lot of hard work to do, and we need to add to the squad we have.
“But I am confident in my own ability as a manager and a motivator that we can turn this around. What has happened has sharpened my mind and I know what we need to do.”
Friedel, Mokoena (Emerton 12), Khizanishvili, Neill, Gray, Bentley, Savage, Tugay, Peter (Gallagher 80), Kuqi, Dickov (Sinama Pongolle 64).
James, Sommeil, Dunne, Richards, Distin (Wright-Phillips 83), Sinclair (Croft 69), Barton, Reyna, Musampa (Riera 61), Samaras, Vassell.
H Webb (S Yorkshire).
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