When Gus Poyet lost his temper and took out his anger on a cooler box — emptying dozens of drinks bottles and scattering ice on the touchline — it was in protest at so much more than Jack Rodwell ’ s booking for diving . The yellow was merely the tipping point which made the Uruguayan see red . Rather , there was frustration at the rapid unravelling of Sunderland ’ s season and his reputation . He chose to take it out on Steve Bruce , marching over to the Hull boss in apparent offering of a friendly handshake before sarcastically applauding in his face . Bruce , understandably , reacted and only the intervention of the assistant referee prevented a physical confrontation . Hull boss Steve Bruce and Sunderland manager Gus Poyet were on good terms before the crucial game . However things turned sour when Bruce and Poyet began a slanging match and had to be pulled apart . Bruce appeared to take exception to Poyet 's sarcastic applause of a referring decision by Mike Dean . The two managers are restrained by match officials who try desperately to keep them away from each other . All eyes were on the technical area as the opposing bosses threatened to come together . Poyet had lost his head . Twenty-four hours earlier he had lost star winger Adam Johnson — his four-goal top scorer — after his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with an underage girl . He responded by naming four central-midfielders in a 4-4-2 system . It was a bizarre decision which smacked of protest at what he perceives to be a lack of attacking options provided by the club ’ s hierarchy . That they escaped with a draw was more to do with good fortune , Rodwell ’ s late equaliser having appeared to go in via his arm . The linesman cuts across an incensed Bruce as Poyet turns his back on the Hull manager . As the pair locked horns Bruce makes sure he gets his point across by bellowing in Poyet 's direction . But there was enough to worry followers of the Black Cats after another insipid display . As for Poyet ’ s indiscipline , it soon spread through the team . Lee Cattermole was booked for a blatant kick on David Meyler in the second half and will miss the next two matches . He was substituted moments later . Earlier there had been a reckless lunge by Liam Bridcutt , for which he was lucky not to be sent off and Wes Brown could have seen red for the foul which led to Dame N ’ Doye ’ s opener . Poyet was sent to the stands for his antics and could face further punishment after the game . Poyet had been vanquished to the stands just before half-time and the concern must now be that Sunderland , too , could be vanquished to the Championship . The head coach said before the game he was shocked by Sunderland ’ s involvement at the wrong end of the table . Perhaps he should take a closer look at the numbers . His team have now won just one in 11 league games and have scored just once in more than eight hours of football . The Uruguayan looks in deep thought as he finds his seat among the supporters after his dismissal . The 47-year-old watches on with interest as his side searched for the equaliser at the KC Stadium . Poyet talks of implementing his own style of play which will , in the long term , excite supporters . There is precious little evidence of that offensive brand at present and , Rodwell ’ s leveller apart , they barely mustered an effort on goal . The body language of Jermain Defoe told its own story . Dropping deep in an attempt to enjoy a rare feel of the ball as they trailed after the break , he was robbed of possession by one of his own players . Paul McShane ( right ) is in disbelief as Rodwell 's header in the 77th minute rescues a point for the Black Cats . Sunderland boss Poyet reacts animatedly to Jack Rodwell 's equalising goal from the stands of the KC Stadium . Defoe flapped his hands in dismay . It was yet another show of a side sadly lacking in organisation and discipline . But when you have a boss who starts with four central-midfield players and is himself sent off just when you need his guidance more than ever , what chance do you stand ? That they got a point had little to do with their absent manager .
Gus Poyet was sent to the stands during Hull 's game with Sunderland . Poyet angrily kicked over a drinks carrier . He and Bruce had exchanged harsh words on the touchline . The Uruguayan had sarcastically applauded a refereeing decision . CLICK HERE to read Matt Lawton 's match report .