City see Red over Barton dismissal

Manchester City have launched an immediate appeal against Joey Barton's red card, which should clear the midfielder for the crucial St Stephen's Day visit to Sheffield United.

Barton was dismissed by referee Mike Riley four minutes from the end of City's 2-0 home defeat to Bolton after he lunged at Abdoulaye Faye close to the touchline.

From his immediate reaction, it was obvious Barton could not believe the decision and manager Stuart Pearce has backed City's desire to challenge the verdict which, because Football Association offices are closed until next week, should allow Barton to play at Bramall Lane.

"It was not a sending off in my book and we will appeal," said Pearce.

"If we didn't feel Joey had a leg to stand on we wouldn't do it but the most we felt the tackle deserved was a yellow.

"It was just a bit of frustration taking over and when the red was produced, the Bolton players were as surprised as us."

Barton's dismissal, which now threatens to rule him out of the Premiership encounters West Ham and Everton, plus the FA Cup tie at Sheffield Wednesday, capped a miserable afternoon for the Blues, who were undone by two goals from Nicolas Anelka, who remains their record signing.

To make matters worse, City had what Pearce felt was a perfectly good Paul Dickov goal disallowed when Riley and his assistant ruled the Scot's header had not crossed the line before Jussi Jaaskelainen clawed it out.

"It was only a foot over," observed the former England skipper.

"Maybe it has to hit the back of the net before it gets given."

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce, a long-time advocate of goal-line technology, refused to offer an opinion as to whether he felt City had scored, preferring instead to praise the brilliance of Jaaskelainen, whose agility ensured there was a decision to make in the first place.

"We talk about key moments in games and that was undoubtedly one," said Allardyce.

"When we needed him to, Jussi pulled off a massive save and that is one of the major reasons why we won the game."

The other was Anelka, who just as he did against Arsenal earlier in the season, scored twice against his old club.

His opener took just seven minutes, the second arrived midway through the half, Anelka finishing off in predatory fashion after Henrik Pedersen had set him up.

"It's a pity Nicolas has not played for another 17 teams in the Premiership if that is what he does against his former clubs," said Allardyce.

"He has shown Manchester City what they are missing. If we provide him with the chances, there is nobody better at taking them."

While Bolton continue their unlikely quest for a Champions League spot, City appear destined for a bleak mid-winter unless Pearce can find some salvation in next month's transfer window.

With a trip to West Ham following immediately after the Sheffield United expedition, there will be little Christmas cheer around Eastlands as they prepare for a make-or-break seven days which could determine their Premiership future.

"We have a scrap on our hands," admitted Pearce.

"What we cannot afford to do is feel sorry for ourselves. We have had what we thought was a goal disallowed and a player, we feel, wrongly sent off. But they are just excuses.

"We must roll our sleeves up and respond in the right manner."