ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Essien and the 50/50 Challenge

Michael Essien's challenge on Ossie on Sunday had me in an immediate rage, even in real time and not with the benefit of the subsequent replays, as it was obvious that he went in 'studs-up'.

In South Africa, the games are broadcast with the standard commentator, with additional comments by an ex-pro (usually complete no-marks like Efan Ekoku - whoops, remember him? - Warren Barton, Garry Birtles etc).

Anyway, after Essien's assault on Ossie, the 'ex pro' on this occasion stated "....weeeeeeell, there was no intent there, it was just a 50/50 challenge really..."

Said 'ex-pro' was none other than Brian Marwood. BRIAN FUCKING MARWOOD!!! Well he would know all about that sort of challenge wouldn't he?? Bastard!

For the younger amongst us, Brian Marwood was responsible for a hideous assault on Adrian Heath during the 84-85 campaign(around December?), which ended Inchy's season. The fact that Andy Gray came in and we conquered the world that season is beside the point....
Dave Richman, Johannesburg, South Africa Posted 13/11/2007 at 09:03:02

back Return to the Mail Bag

Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Dan Johnson
1 Posted 13/11/2007 at 15:04:09

I dont think Essien meant to hurt Ossie you compare that with the Barton tackle. Occasionally in footie player just get teh timing wrong. I got snet off a few eeks back for a nasty tackle but it was purely accidental. the guy after the match just didnt want to know when I said sorry.

Phil Gordon
2 Posted 13/11/2007 at 15:17:46

I don?t know how anyone can say that challenge was accidental - are you blind?

I would be sympathetic if he RAISED his boot and the studs were showing but he came in with a DOWNWARD motion and if you look closely his left foot actually leaves the floor for a split second.

It was almost a 2 footed challenge but even with it only being one at the point of contact it was laced with intent and should of been a straight red.

He has committed exactly the same offence on several previous occassions and it happens too often for it to be coincidence!!

Sam Morrison
3 Posted 13/11/2007 at 15:35:19

Didn?t Efan Ekoku hit four past us at Goodison?

Seamus Murphy
4 Posted 13/11/2007 at 16:04:01

Thanks for reminding us of that Sam!!

Steve Lyth
5 Posted 13/11/2007 at 16:04:11

Dan no wonder the lad didnt want to know you after your match, if you think Essiens tackle was unintentional, you obviously have no idea of what a reasonable tacle is.
Red card from me too mate

Neil Pearse
6 Posted 13/11/2007 at 16:44:54

Should have been a red. Nearly as bad as Kuyt’s. If that tackle had been on Essien by e.g. Cahill it would have been a red without a doubt.

Dave Roberts
7 Posted 13/11/2007 at 18:13:25

Wasn’t it another Chelsea player who was sent off for exactly the same kind of tackle against Manure early in the season? That’s the problem today, absolutely no consistency from referees so it’s no wonder players chance their arm (or two feet!) and fans don’t know what to expect.

Chris Jones
8 Posted 13/11/2007 at 18:18:01

I think the originator is being unfair to Marwood. I was at that game and believe the reason for the injury was simply that Heath was just too quick in the turn for Marwood whose tackle ended up horribly miss-timed. What WAS in my book a clear assault with intent was the ?retribution? meted out by Peter Reid shortly threafter which, IIRC, saw Marwood carried off in a bucket and Reid getting just a yellow card. Saddest of all though, Inchy was never quite the same player when he came back from injury :o(

Dave Roberts
9 Posted 13/11/2007 at 18:19:51

John Mikel Obi was it? Couldn’t remember his name before!

Dave Wilson
10 Posted 13/11/2007 at 18:24:25

If you’ve played at any level you know that was a malicous challenge from Hessien, I’ve seen him make that same studs showing tackle on 3 times seperate occasions now and he gets away with it every fucking time

Andy Davey
11 Posted 14/11/2007 at 02:00:36

There’s a YouTube vid of the Everton vs Wednesday game from 85 with that Marwood tackle on Heath here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-2TnEYMY-M

Scratchy video and scratchy performance by the blues but good to check out some of the old faces. Remember Imre Veradi?

Mark Stone
12 Posted 14/11/2007 at 09:23:41

Efan Ekoku was from Liverpool. He went to my school, so my English teacher told me the day after he hit 4 past us at Goodison.