Dean sent off Gelson Fernandes for two yellow cards while Richard Dunne was given a straight red for an alleged professional foul on Darren Bent.

It was Bent who proved to be Tottenham's match-winner in a rain-lashed game with both goals to lift the club off the bottom of the table.

Robinho gave City the lead but, despite a rousing finish, they suffered their third straight league defeat.

Hughes said: "The referee should have been prepared to take the conditions into account but he was not prepared to do that.

"I thought Gelson's second yellow card was harsh as the referee should have given him the benefit of the doubt. It has hurt us badly.

"As for Dunne's sending-off, it was a coming together of bodies and you hope common sense would prevail given the difficult conditions. But again Mr Dean was not prepared to do that."

Tottenham had Benoit Assou-Ekotto sent off in the 90th minute for two yellow cards, and manager Harry Redknapp said: "You see three red cards given and think it was a kick-up. But it was not like that. There was not really a bad tackle in the game."

City have now lost three league games on the trot and won only one of their last seven outings.

However, Hughes has been heartened by a meeting with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

The Welshman is also scheduled to fly out to Abu Dhabi to meet owner Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Hughes said: "I have had some great meetings with the chairman. He was at my house last night and we had discussions about the future and where we want to take the club. It was very positive.

"He understands the situation we are in at the moment. He is realistic. He knows injuries and suspensions have played a part. The key is to be stronger in future.

"I may well go out this weekend (to meet the owner). If it is not a time where diaries are open, I may go out on another date. But there is no rush."

Redknapp, meanwhile, was just delighted to see his side move off the foot of the table and Bent take his tally to 11 goals in all competitions.

"A few weeks ago we had only two points and that was scary, " he said. "We could have been cast adrift.

"But the whole league is so close apart from the top four, who are clearly the best teams.

"We have some good players and Bent is in great form. He is showing a lot of confidence and it is fantastic for him he is already on 11 goals."