Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley has apologised for his over-the-top tackle on Everton's Steven Pienaar on Sunday.

However, the 22-year-old former Manchester United player insists there was no malice in the tackle during the 1-0 Premier League defeat at the Stadium of Light.

Bardsley winced when he saw television replays of the incident, which was compared by pundit Martin Keown to the Martin Taylor challenge which left Arsenal striker Eduardo with a broken leg and dislocated ankle. .

But he insisted he was simply beaten to the ball by Pienaar after sensing an opportunity to nip in before him.

Bardsley told the Newcastle Journal: "When I saw [Joleon] Lescott play the ball, I thought it was a slow pass and I could have nicked in front of Pienaar to win the ball.

"But it wasn't to be and I caught him. Looking back, it was a bad tackle. But when the TV slows it down, it looks a lot worse.

"I know it wasn't the greatest of tackles and I am glad the lad is OK.

"He put his body in the way to protect the ball and I went for it and caught him.

"But when it is in full flight, I don't think anyone around the ground would have ever seen it until they replayed it on the TV."

The Eduardo incident has sparked a major debate on tackling with FIFA president Sepp Blatter last week arguing that serious offenders should be banned for lengthy periods.

Bardsley was booked for his offence and although some commentators claimed he might have been red-carded, he cannot be punished further because match referee Alan Wiley saw the tackle and dealt with it at the time.

Sporting Life / Eurosport