Distin accused Stoke players of wrestling with his team-mates at every set-piece, and believes it is an offence which is not given enough attention.

Marouane Fellaini was subject to some jostling from Tony Pulis' men, before losing his patience and headbutting defender Ryan Shawcross, an incident which the FA may investigate.

Speaking about the game, Distin said: "It's wrestling, it was tough. It was difficult to run through, they just catch you all the time and grab you.

"I think the ref could have a better look at it. But that is football and it's going to happen when you come to a place like Stoke.

"There is just no consistency. That is the problem as a player."

Distin also referred to the penalty that Manchester City won against Everton earlier in December, when Fellaini was adjudged to have committed a similar offence to what Distin was claiming the Stoke players were doing.

"Sometimes you get grabbed or blocked and it is not a penalty. Then you see what happened against City when the ref gave them a penalty, and you think 'there should be a penalty every week'," he said.

"There is no consistency so it's a bit frustrating when it's not going your way."