Luiz brushes off late red card controversy

DAVID Luiz has brushed off his latest controversial clash with Sergio Aguero as late-game frustration on the part of the Manchester City striker.

Aguero was sent off for an horrific stoppage-time tackle on Luiz as City were beaten 3-1 by the Premier League leaders at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The incident sparked a bench-clearing brawl involving players and staff of both sides that also saw City's Fernandinho sent off and bookings for Chelsea's Nathaniel Chalobah and Cesc Fabregas.

Luiz and Aguero had clashed earlier in the game with the Chelsea defender perhaps lucky to escape a red card himself after appearing to deny his opponent a goalscoring opportunity.

The pair also have history with Aguero having sparked a furore with a two-footed challenge on the Brazilian in the 2013 FA Cup semi-final.

Of the latest matter, Luiz said: "I don't like to publicise things. This is not part of the beautiful football.

"Aguero is an amazing player, he scores a lot, he wins a lot. It is better when you talk about Aguero to talk about good things rather than bad things.

"It is quite normal frustration when you don't win the game and I don't like to speak about negative things. It is normal in football - when you win you be happy, when you lose you be sad."

Aguero has already missed three games through suspension this season for elbowing West Ham's Winston Reid and is now heading for a four-match ban. Fernandinho is set to be banned for three games and, to make matters worse for City, a unrelated booking for Nicolas Otamendi means he will also miss the next league game at Leicester.

City manager Pep Guardiola (above) apologised after the game for what occurred

City dominated the first hour but broke through only when Gary Cahill sliced a Jesus Navas cross into his own net. Diego Costa struck a superb equaliser and then Willian and Eden Hazard wrapped up the comeback victory.