Charlton’s Ben Garner fumes at “disgusting” incident in Oxford United clash | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic manager Ben Garner has claimed he is “very, very thankful” that Mandela Egbo wasn’t seriously injured by a “disgusting” challenge during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Oxford United at The Valley.

It is now seven League One games without a win for the Addicks but they came from behind against Oxford on Saturday to ensure the points were shared.

Marcus Browne bagged the opener after 11 minutes and then Jayden Stockley pulled the hosts level early in the second half – rising high to nod in Charlie Kirk’s back post cross.

Charlton may feel aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty just before their equaliser as Jesurun Rak-Sayki’s shot seemed to hit the hand of a defender but it was a heavy challenge on Egbo that had the manager fuming after the game.

Asked whether his side should have had a spot kick, he told FLW: “Yeah, it hit his hand. I’ve seen it back, it’s handball.

“The more worrying thing for me, I’m so thankful that Madela Egbo didn’t break his leg today because that tackle is over the top of the ball. It’s disgusting, it really is.

“I’m just very, very thankful he hasn’t come away with a serious injury.”

“I thought he was aggressive. I haven’t seen it back but it looked like a booking. I thought he went in aggressive, got something on the ball but probably in the interpretation now a little bit too aggressive but I didn’t think it was dangerous at the time.

“I just thought it was a full-blooded challenge unlike the one on Mandela, which is for me premeditated. He’s gone over the top of the ball and he’s looked like he is looking to hurt him there.”

The culprit was not named by Garner but there are suggestions that it was Browne that made the challenge.

Quiz: Did Charlton Athletic win, draw or lose the last time they played at these 18 stadiums?

1 of 17

Memorial Stadium

1-0 W 0-0 D 2-1 W 1-0 L

The Verdict

Garner did not mince his words about what he felt was a dangerous challenge on Egbo in the press conference after Saturday’s game.

The Charlton boss is always going to look to protect his players and clearly believes that the challenge put the wing-back in real danger with his tackle at The Valley.

There didn’t seem to be a huge reaction from supporters or the rest of the home side but clearly, the manager was not happy.

Luckily for all involved, Egbo came out unscathed and was able to play the rest of the game.