Angry Neville blasts foreign imports over danger tackles after Obi red card

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The Everton captain was on the receiving end of a John Mikel Obi challenge which earned the Chelsea player a red card in last night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

The Nigerian went in with studs showing in the 55th minute and, although his dismissal did not prevent Avram Grant's side winning 2-1, it took the shine off an impressive victory.

Studs up: John Mikel Obi's challenge on Neville

Flashpoint: Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel catches Phil Neville after sliding in with studs showing and is sent off

Neville said: "I think he went for the ball. It was probably with his studs showing, but foreigners tend to tackle like that. I don't think it was with any malice, but you cannot do that. That is the type of tackle we want out of our game."

It is the second time in less than a month that Obi's nationality has been blamed as a contributing factor in red cards at Stamford Bridge.

Against Liverpool in the quarter-final, he was the victim of a two-footed tackle from Peter Crouch.

But the striker insisted that Obiover-reacted to get him sent off.

Mikel was joining the Nigeria squad today for the African Nations' Cup, but his disciplinary record is likely to be addressed by Chelsea when he returns. The talented 20-year-old has been sent off four times and given 12 yellow cards in a season and a half and needs to show more maturity to avoid trouble.

However, Grant and his players felt referee Peter Walton was inconsistent last night.

Asked if he was frustrated by Obi's dismissal, Grant said: "Yes. If that was a red card, Everton players on yellow cards made worse fouls and did not get second yellows."

Neville and Lee Carsley could have seen red and Chelsea's Henrique Hilario insisted Obi had nothing to apologise for.

The goalkeeper said: "He did not have to say anything to us. He didn't do anything wrong. He challenged to get the ball and did not go to hurt the player, just to play the ball.

"The referees are focusing more on this kind of challenge and we have to be aware of that."