Thomas Frank criticises 'reckless' Man City star after Brentford defeat in Yoane Wissa injury update

Thomas Frank criticises 'reckless' Man City star after Brentford defeat in Yoane Wissa injury update

Brentford boss Thomas Frank criticised a “reckless tackle” from Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic after Yoane Wissa was forced off during Saturday's Premier League clash.

Forward Wissa had given the Bees a shock lead against the champions, nodding in the opener after only 22 seconds at the Etihad Stadium.

The Bees appeared to have rattled City in the opening stages but ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat after Erling Haaland bagged a first-half brace.

Wissa was forced off before the interval after a challenge from Kovacic and is set for assessment this week. Frank’s side host Leyton Orient in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before traveling to Tottenham on Saturday.

"It could be a shorter one or it could be a longer one, I actually have no clue,” said Frank. “We need to assess him tomorrow.

"It was a reckless tackle, I thought, from Kovacic, just going through the man, from behind him.

Blow: Yoane Wissa was forced off after a tackle from Mateo Kovacic (REUTERS)
Blow: Yoane Wissa was forced off after a tackle from Mateo Kovacic (REUTERS)

"I know it's probably not a red card, but it's frustrating that it's led to an injury."

Speaking of his team’s performance, Frank added: “I think in the first 25 minutes, if Manchester City are the best team of all, then we were world class.

"We were clearly on top, we were tight, but also the best team and did something only Liverpool and Arsenal do - we had more possession, more shots on target, more XG (expected goals).

"I'm 50-50 - frustrated for not getting anything out of the game but also extremely proud of what we did against Man City."

Additional reporting from PA