These terrible 10 are the worst tackles I've ever seen in English football



The art of tackling, they say, is dead. And after Callum McMananman's horror lunge on Massaido Haidara it's fair to assume the younger generation aren't about give it a renaissance.

The Wigan winger's knee-high shocker has, rightly, provoked a furious reaction around the game. Sadly, though, it isn't anything we've not seen before.

Here, Sportsmail expert Graham Poll - who saw up close the danger players are put in by their fellow professionals - runs down his list of tackles that have no right to be on a football field.

10. Joey Barton (Newcastle) on Dickson Etuhu (Sunderland) Nov 2007



A different challenge from the rest. In this one Barton wins the ball cleanly, but decides to lift his leg and push his studs forcibly into Dickson Etuhu’s midriff. It appears that he does not care from his reaction afterwards.

Malice: Joey Barton follows through into Dickson Etuhu with his studs

9. Kevin Nolan (Newcastle) on Victor Anichebe (Everton)

Two things stand out from this challenge. The first is that this is another example of how the art of tackling has disappeared, as Nolan turns sideways to force his studs down into the Everton man. Secondly, the reaction from Nolan at the indisputable red card from Lee Mason. He appears incredulous as, if it wasn’t even a foul. Nolan is not alone in reacting this way to referees.

Crunch: Kevin Nolan's stamping tackle on Everton's Victor Anichebe

8. John Terry (Chelsea) on James Milner (Aston Villa) - April 2010



Terry can tackle brilliantly and so it is hard not to think this is a deliberate act. as his eyes watch Milner all the way through. Luckily Milner had the leg which was hit off of the ground and so escaped a broken leg which this tackle could have caused. Only a yellow card was issued.

Clattered: John Terry's tackle on James Milner was reckless but he was only booked for it





7. Ian Wright (Arsenal) on Peter Schmeichel (Man Utd) – Feb 1997

I remember reviewing this challenge at a referees' meeting and was amazed at the way Wright flew in on Schmeichel. Having been given offside high up the pitch, the Arsenal striker continued with ‘play’ and jumped into the United keeper. But he got away with the tackle as Martin Bodenham had looked away after stopping play.

Two footer: Ian Wright flew into the Man United stopper Peter Schmeichel

6. Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) on Craig Fagan (Hull) – Sept 2008

Guthrie runs and kicks out at Fagan with such force I struggle to call this a tackle. Fagan was already being challenged by one Newcastle player and was out by the corner flag so there was no need or justification for Guthrie committing such a wanton act of violence. The red card issued seemed insufficient punishment but that’s all the referee could issue.

You're off: Danny Guthrie's tackle on Craig Fagan was a disgusting display of brutality





5. Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea) on Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) – Dec 2007

It is said that referees are in danger of stopping tackling in modern football; Carvalho appears to have forgotten how to tackle properly in this example. Leading with both feet this studs up challenge was rightly condemned and resulted in accusations of that Carvalho had deliberately tried to injury Agbonlahor and Phil Dowd rightly dismissed him.

Flying in: Ricardo Carvalho lunged in on Gabriel Agbonlahor

4. Karl Henry (Wolves) on Jordi Gomez (Wigan) – Oct 2010

For sheer impact look at this foul, as Gomez flies through the air as the force of Henry’s tackle flings him through 360 degrees like a ragdoll and made the red card from referee Lee Mason a formality.

Ragdoll: Karl Henry's awful challenge on Jordi Gomez sent the Wigan man into the sky

3. Michael Brown (Fulham) on Sean Davis (Portsmouth) – April 2006

Sometimes poor tackles are defended (incorrectly) by claiming that the offender is not 'that sort of player'. However, serial offender Brown really looks for Davis and appears to try and muster as much force as he can with this two-footed shocker; how Davis was not seriously injured is a mystery. Brown was sent off.

Don't complain: Michael Brown is renowned for poor tackles and this was one of the worst





2. Ben Thatcher (Manchester City) on Pedro Mendes (Portsmouth) – Aug 2006

This sickening forearm smash which knocked Mendes senseless was a disgraceful act of thuggery from Thatcher, who has previous with this type of challenge. He also knocked Sunderland’s Nicky Summerbee out when playing for Wimbledon with a very similar ‘hit’. Neither offence earned Thatcher a red card.

Vicious: Ben Thatcher flew into Pedro Mendes with his elbow in this shocking incident

1. Roy Keane (Man Utd) on Alf Inge Haaland (Man City) - April 2001

This incident must rate as the worst because of the premeditated nature of the ‘attack’. Keane waited until the game was virtually over before launching into Alf Inge Haaland to gain some retribution for a tackle made by the Norwegian on him. Incredibly referee David Elleray had to seek advice from his assistant before sending Keane off.

Appalling: Roy Keane's despicable foul on Man City player Alf Inge Haaland







