Sunderland boss Gus Poyet criticises recent performances of referees

Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet has suggested that referees are not performing to the required standard across the board.

The Black Cats' 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday included a controversial decision by match official Roger East.

The referee awarded a penalty to United after John O'Shea brought down Radamel Falcao, but rather than the Irishman being given a red card, East sent off Wes Brown.

"The problem we have lately in football, and I'm not just talking about us, is after the game we're talking about a bad decision," the Shields Gazette quotes Poyet as saying. "Something always happens.

"If he gives the penalty, which apparently was a penalty - I just saw one quick moment and John is sent off - then perhaps we would not be talking about anything apart from the game afterwards."

Sunderland are just three points above the relegation zone in the Premier League table.