Irish players lucky

Coleman tries to defend team after fiery derby Bale deserved red card for tackle, claims O’Neill

Chris Coleman has responded to criticism of Neil Taylor’s leg-breaking tackle on Seamus Coleman by claiming Ireland’s players were also guilty of some poor challenges in a feisty “British derby” and had not left the pitch with “halos above their head”.

A tense, frenetic clash left a nasty taste in the mouth because of two controversial tackles in quick succession in the second half, the first from Gareth Bale on John O’Shea, before Taylor left Coleman with potentially a career-threatening injury. Coleman left the pitch on a stretcher, hooked up to oxygen and in obvious pain. It was a reckless, over-the-ball challenge which inflicted such severe damage on the Everton defender that replays were not shown in order to protect those watching on television.

Taylor was immediately shown a red card and apologised to Ireland’s assistant manager, Roy Keane, as he left the pitch. He also apologised to the Irish team after the final whistle, although O’Neill revealed his players had been equally incensed by Bale’s lunge moments earlier.

The Real Madrid star escaped with a yellow card for an out-ofcontrol, studs up tackle, which connected with O’Shea’s leg just below the knee cap.

Chris Coleman claimed he would rebuke Taylor if he feels the tackle was deliberately violent, but added that there was “needle” throughout the game and both sides were responsible for it. The Wales manager faced a hostile Irish media after the game and tried his best to defend