Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has defended Richard Dunne following the captain's error-prone display in the Barclays Premier League defeat by Tottenham. Dunne was handed a straight red card by referee Mike Dean after bundling over Darren Bent as the striker went in search of a hat-trick.

That incident came after the defender was culpable in Tottenham's opening goal in their 2-1 victory at Eastlands. He failed to cut out a long ball from Luka Modric and Bent took advantage to score the first of his two goals and equalise.

Dunne has come under fire from a section of the fans — he also scored two own goals in the defeat by Bolton and the draw against Newcastle.

Hughes, however, has faith in his skipper.

He said: "People are highlighting the goals we have conceded and that he has been involved in. But they forget how many times he has saved us, not only this season but in the past.

"He is in credit and it is just a spell he is going through. He will come through it — he is a strong character. I have no worries in that respect."

With Gelson Fernandes also sent off after two yellow cards, Hughes will be down on numbers at Hull on Sunday.

Midfielder Dietmar Hamann, though, has little argument with Dean's decisions.

He said: "To get two yellows for two fouls in 25 minutes is a bit hard. Maybe he could have had a word with him (Fernandes) for the second challenge. But at the end of the day, they are both bookable offences.

"As for Dunny, he is the last man, so I do not think you can argue with that either."