Gus Poyet defends Lee Cattermole tackle in Leicester City draw

Gus Poyet has defended Lee Cattermole following suggestion that the midfielder should have been sent off during Sunderland's draw with Leicester City yesterday.

Cattermole, who was returning from a suspension, caught Esteban Cambiasso with a heavy tackle in the second half, but the referee did not feel that it merited a sending off.

The Black Cats manager told BBC Sport: "10 years ago his tackle would have been highlighted as one of the best in England. We are going soft.

"These people that never play football and don't have a clue are trying to make it a non-contact sport. This is football. It was a proper English tackle."

The goalless draw left Sunderland 14th in the Premier League table.