Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has attempted to play down a remarkable touchline bust-up on Wednesday night with Everton counterpart David Moyes.

Tensions boiled over for the Man City boss as his team blew the chance to move into the fourth place at home to the Toffees. The Merseysiders ran out 2-0 winners after goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta.

The rival bosses angrily confronted each other as a compelling Barclays Premier League encounter went into injury time.

The pair needed to be separated by fourth official Howard Webb at Eastlands after Mancini took exception to Moyes picking up the ball, an action the Italian interpreted as time-wasting.

The incident ended with both being sent to the dressing rooms for the closing moments by referee Peter Walton.

Mancini and Moyes both tried to play down the fracas afterwards but the pair are likely to face censure from the FA.

"I have spoken with David and if I made a mistake I am sorry," said Mancini.

"I wanted to get the ball because there was another five minutes at the end.

"This can happen in a game but it is finished now.

"I was frustrated for the players because we played a good game and sometimes it can happen where scoring a goal is impossible."