It seems certain the Football Association will this week charge the £25million Manchester City forward with violent conduct for his woeful attack on Robin van Persie's face during yesterday's 4-2 win over Arsenal.

Adebayor is also set to face a separate charge for his inflammatory goal celebration, which could bring additional punishment, probably leading to an overall ban of at least four matches.

FA chief executive Ian Watmore confirmed today they would "take a good close look" at both incidents, the latter of which referee Mark Clattenburg decided was worthy of a booking.

However, the FA's disciplinary panel have the power to take additional action, while Clattenburg's apparent failure to notice what Van Persie insisted was a stamp on the side of his head by the Togo star, leaves the way free for an immediate charge, which would place a massive question mark over Adebayor's availability for Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

Adebayor may have claimed his innocence afterwards with respect to the Van Persie incident but there appeared a definite lunge as his foot went towards the floor. And Hughes must now be fearing the worst

"He needs to be cut a little bit of slack given what he has gone through in the last 18 months," said the City boss.

That seems unlikely following Watmore's comments during BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

Talking about the controversial celebration, for which Adebayor also apologised, Watmore said: "I was pretty unimpressed really.

"The problems between the Arsenal fans and Adebayor are well documented, and he ran the whole length of the field to celebrate, so I think we're going to have a good close look at that one.

"The stewards did a great job of calming the situation down and it was to Manchester City's credit nothing worse happened.

"Our governance team will take a good look at both of the incidents that have been highlighted and will come to the media with the answers early next week."

A fuming Van Persie was clearly in no mood to cut Adebayor any slack either.

"He set out to hurt me and I feel lucky that I have not suffered a greater injury," said the Dutchman, who labelled it a "mindless and malicious stamp".

"The contact was only centimetres from my eye," he continued.

"I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made.

"He moved backwards when his natural momentum would have taken him forward. I find that deeply disrespectful."

Van Persie's statement is as inflammatory as Adebayor's ill-advised goal celebration, when he ran the full length of the field and slid straight in front of the Arsenal fans, arms wide open as a torrent of abuse rained down. A steward was knocked unconscious in the ensuing melee.

Under the FA's fast-track system, Adebayor could find himself banned for City's next three games, which include a Carling Cup tie with Fulham and a home encounter with West Ham after the United encounter.

With Robinho definitely out for up to four weeks with a stress fracture just above the ankle and former Red Devil Carlos Tevez struggling to get over a knee problem, City could be without three of their star men as they look to extend their 100% record at Old Trafford.

Although discussion of the striker's conduct is unavoidable, it is a shame for City, who emerged from a second-half pummelling to secure a fourth straight win that keeps them in the top four.

Manuel Almunia's unfortunate own goal had given them a half-time lead but there was little indication of the drama to come.

However, Van Persie's equaliser triggered a five-goal scoring spree in the final half-hour as Craig Bellamy put City back in front before Adebayor maintained his record of scoring in every league match from Shaun Wright-Phillips' cross.

Wright-Phillips should have already capitalised on a magnificent Adebayor run but at least he scored later on to ease City further clear.

"This victory won't do us any harm," said Hughes.

"It is important because we are talking about making our mark and making a statement.

"There were a lot of eyes on us and a lot of interest in what we are doing."