Cardiff's Michael Chopra reacts after his clash with Scott Carson

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones criticised Scott Carson's apparent head-butt on Bluebirds striker Michael Chopra that saw the West Brom goalkeeper sent off.

The incident came five minutes before the end of Tuesday night's Championship clash at The Hawthorns, with Cardiff emerging 2-0 victors.

"No matter if Chops hasn't done anything, he's challenged for the ball - you can't do it, crazy," Jones said.

"I don't want anybody to get sent off but if you do that then..."

With eight minutes remaining and Cardiff leading 1-0, Chopra challenged Carson for a 50-50 ball into the penalty area.

Baggies skipper Carson took exception, however, going face-to-face with the striker before inexplicably landing a strong head-butt which sent Chopra to the floor and earned an immediate red card.

Peter Whittingham saw his resulting penalty saved by substitute goalkeeper Dean Kiely before firing home the rebound to wrap up a surprise 2-0 victory.

"If it was one of my players then I would be going absolutely ape. I'd be climbing the wall," Jones added.

"He [Carson] took the pressure off us."

Cardiff, who moved up to third in the table, had taken an 18th-minute lead through Chris Burke but had to soak up intense pressure as West Brom surged forward in search of an equaliser.

"I felt the first half we should have come in probably with more goals, I thought we tore them apart," Jones said.

"Second half we knew we were going to have tired players, with some who have been out a long time.

"It was a rearguard performance without them really getting behind us, we frustrated them.

"But I felt they were always concerned that we would break on them and they didn't commit as many players forward."

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