Sport

Tony Pulis accuses Roberto Martinez of 'sour grapes'

West Brom manager Tony Pulis  
West Brom manager Tony Pulis   West Brom manager Tony Pulis  

WEST BROM boss Tony Pulis has accused Everton manager Roberto Martinez of sour grapes over his claim Saido Berahino should have been sent-off last weekend.

The Baggies won 1-0 at Goodison Park last Saturday, but Martinez insisted Berahino should have walked for an alleged kick on James McCarthy. The English Football Association decided against taking any action ahead of Albion's FA Cup fifth round trip to Reading on Saturday.

But Pulis has been left unhappy with Martinez and believes he had no right to get involved: "I was a little bit disappointed with Roberto actually, in respect of trying to bring something up after we had won the game," he said. 

"It almost smells of sour grapes and you don't need that. We've gone there and won a game of football and people are looking for things to moan and groan about. There was an incident in the game which happened to me and I've not said a word about it because I don't think it's relevant. I was really disappointed with him bringing it up afterwards.

"Thank goodness nothing was made of it because there was nothing there. There's enough cameras there to pick something up. The disappointing thing is another manager, after the game, is trying to find something that could affect this club and this club has nothing to do with him."

The Baggies are without Gareth McAuley, James Morrison (both hamstring) and Callum McManaman (ankle), while Pulis has doubts over a couple of unnamed players for the clash against the Royals: "It's going to be a tough game, Reading are a good Championship side. They have some good players who can hurt you. We're really looking forward to it, I am, I hope the players are," he added.

"I'll pick a strong team, a team to win the game. It's important for me and I just hope the players are as motivated and up for it as I'll be."