Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has criticised referee Mike Jones's decision to send Samir Nasri off in their match against Norwich City this afternoon.

City edged a seven-goal thriller 4-3 but were forced to play the majority of the match with just 10 men following Nasri's dismissal.

Nasri appeared to move his head towards Sebastien Bassong's while the two players were squaring up, but Mancini believes that Bassong was just as guilty as Nasri.

"Both players came forward with their heads, so if you are going to send off one, then you have to send off both, not only Samir," said Mancini.

"Samir said he touched his head, okay, but the other player has done the same. The linesman has a big responsibility also, because it was not a good decision, it is incredible.

"You want to send off both players? Then, okay, the referee was there, he saw everything. The linesman was behind [the players], he could not see. We will appeal, sure."

The result ensured that City did not lose further ground on title rivals Manchester United, keeping them seven points behind the Red Devils.