The teenager squared up to Fulham striker Clint Dempsey in the 70th minute, and for a short time tempers looked like they might boil over on both sides before referee Mark Halsey calmed the situation down, also showing the American striker the same card as Richards.
With the incident taking place on the far side of the pitch to the dug out, the City Manager did not get a clear look, but he said: “I think it was a question of an elbow, or trying to use the elbow, but I didn’t see it properly. It happens in football, you shouldn’t react but that’s easy to say when you are on the bench.
“It’s a lesson for Micah. Football is about getting experience, and you can only get that out on the pitch, you’ll never have it from watching from the stands or on the bench.”
The City boss was also pleased with the brief contribution made by Geovanni. The Brazilian midfielder made his fifth substitute appearance of the league campaign, his only start having come in the derby, replacing compatriot Elano and Sven added:
“Elano was not injured, but Geovanni has looked very sharp in training. I did not want to change the shape of the team and keep the organisation. We needed fresh legs and I think Geovanni did well, he looked quick and very sharp.”
