Pearce to ponder Ball action

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The incident took place in the second minute of United's 1-0 victory and left Sir Alex Ferguson incensed. The Old Trafford manager raced to the touchline to remonstrate with the officials after referee Rob Styles waved play on.

Pearce responded: "People have mentioned the tackle to me and are not particularly happy with what happened. But I have not seen that. Certain things happen in games and people pick up on them. I will review the incident on video and will make any decision from there."

He added: "I am sure the authorities will do whatever they do. We often leave decision to referees and officials above them. It will be down to them."

Ronaldo got his own back by scoring the winner from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after being tripped by Ball.

It was his 23rd goal of the season and while Pearce had no complaints about the spot-kick being awarded, he was unhappy at the Portugal winger's behaviour.

He said: "Ronaldo is an excellent player with very quick feet. He is very talented. But he went down very cheaply in our box and was looking for a penalty after the one that had been awarded."

City chalked up an unwanted record as well by failing to score against their closest rivals. Their home league tally of 10 goals in 19 games is the worst ever in the four divisions.

They squandered a great chance of drawing level and finding the target with only 10 minutes to go when a penalty was awarded after Ball was barged over by Wes Brown.

Darius Vassell drilled his effort straight down the channel and goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar cleared with his legs.