Sunderland boss Gus Poyet was furious with the dismissal of Wes Brown in defeat to Manchester United.

Ref Roger East sent off Brown for an apparent foul on Radamel Falcao, but replays showed John O'Shea had pulled the Colombian back and Brown swept around the side of the striker as he fell to the floor.

But, to the astonishment of Poyet and the Sunderland players, referee East showed a red card to Brown, rather than O'Shea.

In a statement released via the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), East insisted it was not a case of mistaken identity and he did in fact mean to send Brown off as he believed the former United right-back committed a foul on Falcao.

But Poyet was puzzled by the decision.

"He (East) told the players there were two fouls. One committed by John O'Shea and one committed by Wes Brown," the Sunderland boss said.

"He gave the Wes Brown one so that's why he sent him off. Wes Brown didn't touch anyone, so I don't know what he saw... How can you give a penalty that didn't happen?"