Hull v Spurs: Steve Bruce questions Jan Vertonghen reaction

Hull manager Steve Bruce says the reaction of Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen contributed to Gaston Ramirez's red card.

Hull led 1-0 when Ramirez was sent off for kicking out at Vertonghen, with the Tigers going won to lose 2-1.

"Vertonghen's a big strapping centre-back and he's rolling around as if he's been poleaxed," said Bruce.

"Ramirez has tapped him on the backside. If that really takes him to the ground I can't understand that."

While admitting that Ramirez had been "petulant" to react to a physical challenge from Mousa Dembele and then Vertonghen appearing to push him as he lay on the floor, Bruce also blamed the referee Craig Pawson and assistant Peter Kirkup for their handling of the incident.

"The linesman should have a bit more about him. Why not? Now we're talking about a red card instead of the spectacle," added Bruce.

"The big referees, the really top ones, have always got a common sense about them. They realise these things happen."

Pawson, who took charge of his first Premier League game in March 2013, has awarded three red cards in nine top-flight games this season.