Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has ruled out appealing against Martin Petrov's red card suffered in the defeat against Everton.

Referring to Middlesbrough's failed attempt with Jeremie Aliadiere, Eriksson told City's website: "I think it was better not appealing! Three games banned is much better than four. The FA are trying to set examples, you don't raise your hand and you don't kick out at someone.

"Players are role models for young kids, and if they see players getting away with things they will do it as well at any level, so I can understand why we have red cards for what Martin Petrov did."