Evra Unhappy With Bolton striker Davies

Tempers Flare In Derby
By Mark Heys
November 25 2007

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra claims that Bolton striker Kevin Davies has had it in for him for over twelve months after the two clashed once again during Saturday's local derby at the Reebok Stadium,

The French international was subject to one or two tough challenges from Davies during Bolton's 1-0 win against the Premiership champions and despite giving out one or two hefty challenges of his own the former Monaco man beleives the Wanderers target man just does not like him.

Speaking after the game at the Reebok Stadium yesterday, Evra revealed that the feud had been going on much longer than the course of the latest local derby between the two teams.

"I received more tackles than I've had in my life, it was the same last year when he kicked me as well. I said to him then: 'Why do you do a tackle like that?' and he said: 'Because I don't like you'. said Evra after the Trotters first home win over United in 29 years.

"I didn't understand it. Here he did it again. I think his first tackle on me should have been a red card. I don't know what the problem is with Davies, because I don't know him. It's bizarre.

"I was very angry. The captain (Ryan Giggs) and the others said to me: 'You need to concentrate on the game, you must not react to a bad tackle like that I also said to the referee: 'You can't play football like that — this is not a football game'.

"When I play football I do it to play the ball, not to kick somebody. And I keep my eyes on the ball."

Bolton had youth academy products Kevin Nolan and Nicky Hunt booked as well as Davies but referee Mark Clattenburg decided against showing any United players cards despite there being one or two debatable challenges.

One man who was unhappy was United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson who was sent to the stands at half time due to his protests towards Clattenburg at the half time interval.