Manchester City striker Darius Vassell says all is forgiven after he was on the wrong-end of a two-footed lunge from West Ham's Luis Boa Morte during Sunday's 1-1 draw.

Vassell told City's website: "I've had a look at it on video and it looked pretty bad, but at the same time I've spoken to the player and he could not apologise enough. He thought I was going in with the same sort of challenge and he was trying to protect himself.

"I know that sounds dodgy, but I sometimes think that way myself, if you go into a 50-50 challenge full pelt you have to make sure you don't get injured. It's a funny area in football, but I did not get hurt, that's the main thing and I think we should move on and forget about it.

"My ankles have been stiff anyway recently, but we have a couple of days off now and I should be fine by midweek."

On his goal, Vassell added: "It's always nice to get a goal. There's been a bit of controversy about it, but I think it's a grey area. It's one that you'll always take if you score, but if it's against you you'll always raise the question.

"I don't think there is much the referee or linesman can do at the time, it's about how they see it when it happens, I'm just pleased it was given."