5 worst tackles in the English Premier League season so far

In the Premier League season of 2015/16 so far, we have seen some surprising performances from smaller clubs, some inexplicable horror shows from the top clubs and some brilliant individual performances. We have also managed to see some of the worst tackles imaginable, resulting in horrible injuries.In football, we have to take the bad with the good, so it would be wrong to focus our attention on only the beautiful part of the game.Its time to look back on 5 of the worst tackles we have seen so far in this very tough league where rough challenges and poor fouls are abundant.

#5 Santi Cazorla on Cesc Fabregas

This is one of the very few dark spots of Santi Cazorlas career

On September 19th last year, we saw the match between Chelsea and Arsenal end in a 2-0 victory for the boys in blue. The victory was special for Jose Mourinho, who was coaching Chelsea at that time, because of the nature of the relationship between him and Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal fans have not been particularly fond of Cesc Fabregas since he left the Gunners for the fair shores of Barcelona, where his career eventually took a downward turn and he was sold off to Chelsea. The midfielder played exceptionally well and was instrumental in Chelseas Premier League title win.

However none of this can justify Santis reckless challenge on the Spaniard for which he was shown a second yellow and was sent off the pitch. The frustrated midfielder was trying to win a 50-50 ball and lunged in recklessly only to hit Cesc above the ankle.

#4 Jeremain Lens on West Hams Winston Reid

Lenss two-footed challenge from behindwas one of the worst tackles this season

Jeremain Lens of Sunderland was definitely the man to be blamed for Sunderlands two points loss against a tough West Ham side when they met on 3rd October last year. The match saw Sunderland take two goals lead against West Ham only to concede two after going down to ten men.

Lens, who had scored a spectacular goal in the first half, became a villain after he was shown a second yellow and sent off for his completely unnecessary challenge on Winston Reid.There is no doubt that Lenss two-footed challenge from behind was worthy of a second yellow.

The experienced football player had no need to make such a risky tackle, especially when he had already been booked.

#3 James McCarthy on Dimitri Payet

James McCarthy has already been tagged as one of the worst tacklers right now

In the third spot, there is another West Ham player Dimitri Payet, who was injured badly when James McCarthy scissor-tackled him.The match in context between Everton and West Ham eventually ended in a 1-1 draw.

Payet was sidelined with a bad injury which made him spend time off the pitch for a long period of time. James McCarthy has already been tagged as one of the worst tacklers in English Premier League right now.

Fans, the coaching staff and the players of West Ham were visibly disgusted with the incident and they became furious when McCarthy was let off the hook with only being shown a yellow card. Some club members even suggested that the brilliant Payet was being targeted by the Everton man.

McCarthy was lucky enough to escape with just a caution.

#2 Chris Gardners tackle on Dejan Lovren

Dejan Lovren was immediately taken off the pitch wearing an oxygen mask

The match between West Brom and Liverpool was being played at Anfield stadium. The match ended in 2-2 draw.

Chris Gardner caught Lovren when he tried to win a 50-50 ball and ended up going through the Liverpool man. Lovren was severely injured after he took the knock on his knee and was bleeding profusely. He had to be immediately taken off the pitch wearing an oxygen mask.

After the match, when the West Brom coach was asked about the incident, he pointed out that this was not the only horrible tackle seen in the match. He was reluctant to believe that his side was the only culprit behind a match, which saw many reckless tackles.

It is worth mentioning that Skrtel and James Milner were the two players from Liverpool team who were not shy of rushing into challenges.

#1 Jeremain Lens on Mamadou Sakho

A simple reckless is not enough to describe this tackle

On the number one spot of horrible fouls committed, we are not surprised to find Jeremain Lens of Sunderland once again. A simple reckless is not enough to describe his tackle which could have made long lasting damage to the Liverpool defenders career as a football player.

The match between Sunderland and Liverpool took place in Sunderlands home ground on 30th December 2015. In an after-match statement Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp stated that in his opinion the foul deserved a red card, which was not awarded to the offender.

The Dutchman and former Dynamo Kiev player dived in recklessly only to find the legs of the Liverpool defender. It was not even a 50-50 ball and there was absolutely no chance for the Sunderland player to reach the ball. However, he decided to dive in and in which was a very late tackle managed to send Sakho flying to the ground.

Surely enough, a heated verbal exchange broke out at the touchline between the coaches but the officials were quick enough to not let it escalate beyond control.