Redknapp hits out at Balotelli

Goals from Samir Nasri, Joleon Lescott, Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale ensured the scores were level, so that Balotelli scored the injury-time penalty to seal a dramatic 3-2 win for the hosts only made matters worse.

The controversial Italian got involved in a tangle with Parker during the second half, and Redknapp asked: "What reason did he have to backheel Scott in the head with his studs when he is laying on the floor?"

Balotelli's initial contact appeared to be accidental. But a second seemed to involve a deliberate movement of the foot by Balotelli, who has been sent off three times in his short City career already.

"I couldn't see a reason for it," added Redknapp. "It is not a nice thing to do. It has no place in football. Having looked at it, yes, I do (think Balotelli should have been sent off). It is not the first time he has done that and I am sure it won't be the last.

"I am the last person to talk about getting people sent off and what they should and shouldn't do. But it is blatant. He reacts to challenges like that at times."

City manager Roberto Mancini was unable to attend the normal post-match press conference due to a sore throat, with assistant manager David Platt taking his place.

"That is what has got levelled at me," said Platt of the incident. "I haven't seen the VT. Until I have, I can't comment.

"I never saw anything live. I don't think there was any kind of reaction from the players live either. But if someone has seen something, I will be able to comment once I have seen something from a different angle.

"What we are aware of in the last month is that different angles can show different things."

Source: PA

Source: PA