Van Persie: Adebayor 'set out to hurt me'

Robin van Persie last night accused former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor of a "mindless and malicious" stamp which could earn the Manchester City striker a three-match ban. Adebayor may also be in the dock for running the length of the pitch to celebrate his goal in front of the visiting Arsenal fans as City won a tempestuous encounter 4-2.

In an astonishing attack, Van Persie said: "He set out to hurt me. He changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made. I find that deeply disrespectful. He has shown a real lack of class to me and the fans. I feel lucky I have not suffered a greater injury. The contact was only centimetres from my eye. He had his own agenda today."

Adebayor argued: "I was trying to kick the ball and I said sorry to him at the end."