Cats to appeal Turner red

Steve Bruce will launch an appeal against Michael Turner’s controversial red card at Manchester City yesterday but doubts whether it will be successful.

Turner is facing a three-match ban following his late dismissal for catching Gareth Barry with his elbow in an aerial challenge during the 4-3 defeat.

It will rule him out of the Christmas programme, plus the FA Cup third-round tie with non-league Barrow, unless the red card is overturned.

However, after registering a complaint against Andre Marriner with referee’s chief Keith Hackett six weeks ago, Bruce has a feeling his plea will fall on deaf ears.

“I will appeal,” he said.

“I hope he can have a look at it and he can see it was a shuddering challenge between two of the most honest professionals you are going to get.

“Michael Turner got higher. That is the only reason he has caught Gareth Barry.

“You have got to raise your elbows when you are jumping for a ball. I might as well tell my centre-half not to head it next week because he might get sent off.

“I hope the referee looks at it again. I doubt it, though.”

Although it will be overshadowed by the dismissal of his former Manchester United team-mate Mark Hughes as City boss, Bruce believes the analysis of the game will show his side were dealt a cruel hand.

In addition to Turner’s dismissal, Bruce claimed two of City’s goals were the result of dubious offside decisions going in favour of the hosts, while the penalty Nyron Nosworthy conceded for a foul on Craig Bellamy – a player Bruce has tried to buy on three occasions and the architect of the Black Cats’ latest downfall – was “a joke”.

“We have had some horrific decisions,” said Bruce.

“When you look at all those things put together, you can tell it is not going to be your day.

“But, if we keep playing like that, we will turn it round.

“Our problem is that we keep coming to the big clubs and doing fantastically well.

“Against the smaller ones, we don’t. It is one thing we are trying to address.”