Angry Coleman attacks Purse
Fulham boss Chris Coleman launched a blazing attack on West Brom defender Darren Purse after an incident-packed draw at The Hawthorns.
Coleman accused Purse of cowardice after a tackle on Papa Bouba Diop in a match which saw three red cards.
Diop was sent off for lashing out at Purse in the second half as the pair waited for a Fulham corner in the box.
Later Albion’s Neil Clement was dismissed for fouling Luis Boa Morte and Andy Cole was the third man red-carded for swinging a punch at Clement and sparking a mass brawl.
Coleman laid the blame for Diop’s dismissal upon Purse, who had earlier been booked for fouling the Senegal star in the centre circle.
Coleman raged: “Big Diop has been sent off for reacting badly 10 minutes after their guy has put in an horrific challenge on him.
“He (Purse) got a yellow card and I thought it was a coward’s challenge – a leg-breaker.
“I was never shy in the tackle but I never tried to break anybody’s leg and I don’t like that.
“But he only got a yellow card for that so I thought there was a little bit of inconsistency there.”
Coleman insisted he would not discipline either Diop or Cole for their red cards which hampered his side’s bid to hang on for a win.
Coleman added: “Coley held his hands up and said he shouldn’t have done what he did but when a player headbutts you and stamps on you what are you going to do?
“My directors and my chairman might want to fine them but I’m not going to fine them.
“I want my players to stand up for themselves. I wanted them to show a lot of character and desire today and they did.”