James Tarkowski shocks Andy Townsend live on Amazon as Everton are beaten by Newcastle
Andy Townsend was shocked by the “nasty challenge” that Everton defender James Tarkowski made late in the defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday.
The Toffees centre-back was probably the best player in the back four on a frustrating night that saw Frank Lampard’s side succumb to a third defeat in a row with a 1-0 loss.
But in the 89th minute he mistimed a challenge on Magpies winger Ryan Fraser to leave the Scot screaming in agony, and the ex-Burnley man was arguably lucky not to receive a red card.
Speaking on Amazon Prime on Wednesday night (19 October, 9.17pm) commentator Pen Meulenstein said: “He’s in a lot of pain. You could hear the scream from where we are and we are miles away.”
Townsend then reacted with: “He certainly felt that didn’t he? Oof, wow that’s a nasty one. That’s a nasty challenge that from James Tarkowski, that really is.
“I’m sure the best of intentions from Tarkowski to try and pinch the ball but he’s trod right on Ryan Fraser’s ankle there when it’s on the floor, they hurt.”
Mistake
Players will cry out as if in extreme pain at the slightest contact, but this one was genuine from Fraser as he bore more or less the full weight of Tarkowski on his ankle through the Everton man’s studs.
It wasn’t a malicious challenge by any means but it was mistimed and could have done some damage, so was more than worth the yellow card if not more.
Given that referee Tony Harrington had managed to avoid sending off Joelinton late in the first half for what appeared to be an obvious second booking it is probably fair that Tarkowski avoided a red as well.
It would have been the icing on the cake of a disappointing night in the north east for Lampard, who saw his side grow into the game in the first half before conceding an unstoppable strike to Miguel Almiron after Amadou Onana had given the ball away in midfield.
The Belgian redeemed himself for a lame performance in the first half by becoming the pick of the visitors’ players after the break, as Everton arguably became the better side for the second 45.
But while Demarai Gray and Alex Iwobi also improved and began to string some moves together there was nowhere near enough in terms of genuine goal threat, on a night where Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasn’t sharp in his first start all season and Anthony Gordon was industrious and combustable but not at his attacking best.