ALAN PARDEW, the Newcastle manager, has apologised for a foul-mouthed rant at his Manchester City counterpart Manuel Pellegrini.

The 52-year-old aimed an expletive-laden outburst at the Chilean during the first half of his side's controversial 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat by the new league leaders yesterday afternoon.

"I hear that it's been picked up a little bit, and I apologise for my comments 100 per cent," said a repentant Pardew after the match. "It was a heat of the moment thing. We just had words that we always have as managers, to a degree. I have apologised to him and fortunately for myself, he has accepted that."

Pardew's comments included a particularly offensive four-letter word, and he later admitted Pellegrini's involvement in the spat did not merit that. "No, I don't think it merited that word, if I am honest," he admitted. "As I said, I have apologised for that particular word, but we sort of tease each other a little bit and have words."

Pardew was aggrieved to see a Cheick Tiote equaliser - after Edin Dzeko had put City in front - ruled out for offside when no player had appeared to touch the ball. Alvaro Negredo scored late to seal the win.