Sunderland fullback Phil Bardsley has defended Lee Cattermole over his performance in their FA Cup defeat at Hull City.
The combative midfielder was at fault for two of Hull's goals in the dispiriting 3-0 FA Cup sixth round reverse at the KC Stadium.
But Bardsley said: "The yellow card he received was pretty soft. I think his reputation goes ahead of him. A few of their players chirping has not helped the situation and he found himself getting a yellow card which was undeserved," he said.
"I thought he was brilliant in the first half and very unfortunate with one mistakes. But he is a very strong character, he is my best pal and I don't think you can rate him highly enough."
