GUS POYET was so frustrated at the performance of referee Andre Marriner last night that he tried to avoid talking about him in the hope of preventing a Football Association rap.

The Black Cats were left embarrassed at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day when Hull City stopped any momentum built up from Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby success in its tracks.

Adam Johnson had given Sunderland the lead when he capitalised on an error from Curtis Davies inside 30 seconds, but then Hull City bounced back to claim a 3-1 win after Gaston Ramirez had equalised on 32 minutes.

But it was after the Ramirez leveller when the decisions of Marriner really started to frustrate everyone connected with Sunderland, who felt they should have at least one penalty before half-time.

Both Alex Bruce and Stephen Quinn blocked plays in to the Hull box with their hands/arms but the officials waved things away.

Poyet said: “I have a great life and I am not meant to give the FA one penny talking about the referee. He doesn’t even need to have my respect, unfortunately. I am not even going to say anything about him.”

The Sunderland boss also had a problem with the way in which Marriner awarded a free-kick in the build up to James Chester’s headed second shortly after half-time when Jordi Gomez fouled David Meyler. In stoppage-time Stephen Quinn appeared to handle again, before the Tigers broke and completed the win courtesy of Nikica Jelavic’s goal.

“After the penalty incident the game changed,” said Poyet. “The atmosphere in the stadium and the emotions of the players changed. It’s difficult to cope with those decisions. It was a little strange after that.

“We expended too much energy thinking about why they were not given. It was disappointing. It was one of the worst afternoons you will see in your life in terms of the decisions.”

He added: “If your hands are next to your body in the penalty box then it is a penalty, see you later. The last one, before the third goal, that’s a hand ball as well by Quinn in the middle of the park. Today Jordi Gomez got to the ball half a second before (Meyler) and it’s a foul ...”

Marriner has infuriated Sunderland on plenty of occasions in previous years. He has sent Lee Cattermole off on two occasions and he came under fierce criticism from Steve Bruce in 2009 for sending off Michael Turner.

Poyet, who now has Gomez ruled out through suspension, was frustrated with the result as his side plan for Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa.

He said: “It was a strange game. We are disappointed because we had a perfect start and we didn’t take advantage of that. I am disappointed today.

“I was very disappointed with the second half display. I was expecting more from plenty of things. I have plenty of excuses to give you. But it’s not me. There are a few things, issues, problems that we have had the moment at the back. We need to sort it out ourselves.”

Hull boss Steve Bruce was, obviously, far more satisfied – particularly after being barracked with abuse from Sunderland fans during the afternoon.

Bruce, who has now beaten Sunderland four times in a row as Tigers boss, said: “The best team won at a canter. I thought it was a total domination second half.

“I take no real pleasure in that, I got abused from the moment I walked out here, the vast majority might look and think I didn’t do that bad a job here. Some people here say I am black and white – today I am pleased to be.”