LONDON -- Steve Bruce questioned the refereeing decisions that led to Arsenal's first two goals after his Hull side were beaten 3-2 in a memorable FA Cup final.
#INSERT type:image caption:Bruce feels key decisions went against Hull. END#
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Bruce praised Santi Cazorla for the superb free kick that halved the deficit, but the Hull boss thought his son Alex should not have been penalised for his challenge on the Spaniard.
And he disputed referee Lee Probert's award of the corner from which Laurent Koscielny levelled before Aaron Ramsey scored an extra-time winner to give Arsenal their first trophy since 2005.
"There were a big couple of decisions," he said at the postmatch news conference. "Whether it is a free kick for Cazorla... I don't think so. It is a wonderful goal from Cazorla. They have got back in it with that bit of quality. Was it a free kick? I am not so sure.
"The equaliser, I think it is a goal kick. Certainly, from what they are saying in the dressing room, it was a goal kick. I don't think it is the time to whinge, but if they are wrong it costs you."
Hull were two goals ahead after eight minutes when centre-backs Curtis Davies and James Chester scored, but Bruce felt injuries and fatigue cost them dearly, with both his son and Liam Rosenior limping off.
"We were dropping like flies which was always the problem we had. We just ran out of juice," he added.
"The vast majority who played today played in the Championship, so they have had a wonderful couple of years. You could see why they were promoted and why they have had the season they have had. They showed an incredible amount of courage, and on another day we might have won the cup -- but it wasn't to be."
Bruce praised winners Arsenal and victorious manager Arsene Wenger, saying: "The one thing you have to be is gracious in defeat. Arsenal are fantastic club. The fella is a top-class manager. Why he gets stick I do not know.
"Congratulations to Arsenal. They have come back from a position where I thought they were down and out. It is disappointing, but we put on a fantastic show."