Stoke boss Mark Hughes hits back at 'lazy' jibe from Jose Mourinho by claiming 'Manchester United play more long balls than us'... but do they?

The row between Mark Hughes and Jose Mourinho has continued after the Stoke manager hit back at his rival's claim that Saturday's 2-2 draw was a 'game for Fellaini'.

Hughes pushed Mourinho during a touchline spat at the bet365 Stadium and allegedly told the Manchester United boss to 'f*** off'.

Mourinho, who refused to shake hands with Hughes, later criticised Stoke's direct style of play. Hughes thinks such accusations are 'lazy'.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes has continued his public row with Manchester United

Mark Hughes has continued his public row with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho

Stoke City boss Hughes and Mourinho embraced before Saturday's 2-2 Premier League draw

Stoke City boss Hughes and Mourinho embraced before Saturday's 2-2 Premier League draw

But Mourinho refused to shake hands afterwards and Hughes responded with a sarcastic wave

But Mourinho refused to shake hands afterwards and Hughes responded with a sarcastic wave

'That’s just an easy swipe at us really,' said Hughes. 'You could argue United played more long balls, and why wouldn’t they? They’ve got power and pace and if they can get those players ahead of the ball with good accuracy, they’ve got pace and power to burn.


'So I don’t know what the stats are, but I’d argue that in general play they played more long balls than we did because they’ve got that threat and that’s what they try to exploit.

'I think it’s a bit lazy of people to keep on reverting to that "Stoke are a physical team" thing.

'Goodness knows, we had too many free-kicks against us, but that wasn’t because we’re a physical team, it was because the referee misinterpreted too many things in my view.'

The managers clashed on the touchline and Mourinho later joked it had been 'game for Fellaini'

The managers clashed on the touchline and Mourinho later joked it had been 'game for Fellaini'

Mourinho's cheeky quip was a jibe at Stoke for their apparent direct long-ball style of play

Mourinho's cheeky quip was a jibe at Stoke for their apparent direct long-ball style of play

Hughes has called such accusations 'lazy' as he insists Stoke have evolved in recent seasons

Hughes has called such accusations 'lazy' as he insists Stoke have evolved in recent seasons

Hughes believes Stoke have evolved significantly since he replaced Tony Pulis as manager back in 2013.

Indeed, this season's statistics do seem to suggest that the Potters are no longer a direct team.

Stoke have only launched 235 long balls in the Premier League this term.

That is fewer than the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs, but it is worth noting that these sides play more passes in general - long or short - than Stoke as they tend to have a greater share of possession in their games.

Hughes added: 'Overall we have changed, we’re a different type of team. I try to bring good players here and we try to play football and I think you saw evidence of that.'

LONG BALLS PLAYED IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE THIS SEASON

1. Crystal Palace - 302

2. Burnley - 294

3. Brighton - 292

4. Swansea - 289

5. Everton - 288

6. Watford - 279

7. West Brom - 275

8. Bournemouth - 259

9. Leicester - 258

10. Tottenham - 253

11. Liverpool - 249

12. Newcastle - 249

13. Chelsea - 243

14. Southampton - 240

15. Stoke - 235

16. West Ham - 234

17. Man United - 212

18. Man City - 202

19. Arsenal - 201

20. Huddersfield - 198

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