Mark Hughes criticises officials following Stoke loss to Sunderland

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes blamed poor decision-making from the officials for his side's 2-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Potters were reduced to 10 men shortly after the half-time interval with captain Ryan Shawcross shown his second yellow card for a mistimed challenge on Sunderland forward Duncan Watmore. 

Sunderland eventually made their numerical advantage count, with Patrick van Aanholt and Watmore netting in the closing stages to seal the 2-0 victory.

As well as being aggrieved over Shawcross' sending-off, Hughes also criticised referee Mike Dean for failing to spot a perceived dive from Sunderland winger Adam Johnson and for awarding a free-kick which led to the Black Cats' opening goal. 

"We are disappointed a bit with the officials in terms of their interpretation of the incident in the sending-off," Hughes said.

"I don't think they got that correct and unfortunately they misread a dive from Johnson which resulted in the free-kick that they scored from.

"Erik Pieters got a yellow card for that as well which was a ridiculous decision from the official. Key moments and key decisions that have gone against us somewhat, but it was a great strike from the lad.

"And the second goal, which is a consequence of us trying to force the issue and get back on level terms, has won them the game. 

"11 versus 11, we were more than in the game and showed more quality. But going down to 10 men, we were always going to struggle."

Stoke arrived on Wearside looking to claim their third successive Premier League victory, following wins over Southampton and Chelsea in recent weeks.

However, Hughes feels the decision to show Shawcross a red card prevented his side building on their good form. 

"It was a key moment in the game obviously. We talked about being positive in the second half and that opportunity was taken away somewhat when we went down to 10 men," he added. 

"In the first half we had plenty of possession, but did not create a lot and neither did they. In fairness when we did go down to 10 men they did not causes us too many problems."