MICHAEL BALL is facing an investigation by the Football Association after he stamped maliciously on Cristiano Ronaldo just two minutes into yesterday’s hard-fought Manchester derby. Ronaldo was lying on the ground with the ball yards away when the Manchester City defender brought his studs down on the United player’s chest. At the end of the game Ronaldo removed his shirt to reveal a livid welt on his torso.

The incident incensed Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager. He raced to the touchline to remonstrate with the officials after referee Rob Styles waved play on. Styles’s inaction means that the FA is free to take action against Ball.

Stuart Pearce, the City manager, said: “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. I am sure the authorities will do whatever they have to.”

Ferguson was quick to pay tribute to Ronaldo. “He was a victim of a really bad challenge early in the game and at that point it looked like the referee could have lost control,” he said.

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. Although 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.”

Pearce felt that his men’s failure to prise a point from the champions-in-wating summed up their season. Darius Vassell had a penalty saved by United keeper Edwin Van der Sar. “We had a great opportunity to get equal and we missed it,” Pearce said. “Our problem all season has been putting the ball in the net. At the other end, defensively we’ve looked sound. Had we taken that opportunity, I think we would definitely have got something out of the game.”

- Manchester City defender Ousmane Dabo has reported his teammate Joey Barton to the police over an alleged training ground assault. Dabo went to hospital for treatment for facial injuries after the incident last Tuesday. Barton has been suspended by the club and it is understood that Dabo has asked police to press charges. Greater Manchester police confirmed they had “received a report from a 30-year-old man that he was assaulted”.

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