Marko Arnautovic sparked outrage at the weekend after his display at the bet365 stadium.
The Austrian star, who was arguably Man of the Match yet again, tore his former side apart, and got his name on the scoresheet for the second time in three games.
However it was not his performance that had the Stoke City fans, and Mark Hughes raging.
Arnautovic performed an ‘iron’s salute’ towards the Stoke fans during the game in response to some taunts from his former supporters – and his actions were met with a huge backlash.
“There was a little bit of baiting (from the Stoke crowd) obviously, but did he not expect that?” his former boss Hughes said after the game.
“I had better be careful because it sounds like sour grapes (but) I think he should have risen above any criticism or abuse that he had.
“He had enough at other places, and this place was actually very, very good for him. The fans loved him here. So to burn all your bridges after just one game, he didn’t need to do it.”
Arnautovic then added insult to injury after he walked down the touchline applauding the Stoke fans after being subbed on 80 minutes.
“He was doing all sorts by the end and did well to get back to the dressing room safely,” Hughes added.
