Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has been discussing Anthony Taylor’s officiating in Chelsea’s 1-0 win against Bournemouth over the weekend.
It was a fiery affair, with Anthony Taylor handing out a total of 14 yellow cards, which was a Premier League record.
Taylor also awarded a penalty to Bournemouth in the first half, so it was quite an action-packed game despite there only being one goal, which was scored late on by Chelsea‘s Christopher Nkunku.
Robert Sanchez managed to save Evanilson’s spot-kick and came in for plenty of praise after the match. Alan Shearer said Sanchez was “brilliant” when discussing his performance on Match of the Day.
Dermot Gallagher on Anthony Taylor’s refereeing
Gallagher knows a bit about officiating after refereeing in the Premier League for 15 years.
Given that Taylor gave a yellow card very early on in the game, Gallagher was not surprised more followed, stating that the 45-year-old had set a precedent.
However, what did surprise Gallagher was that Taylor did not go on to show a red card, given the amount of players who had already been cautioned.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “I think he started early, didn’t he? And what happens was he set his stall out early and then he’s forced to continue, which he did. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing. If you look back and say, ‘Well, if I hadn’t given this yellow card, could I have got away with that one?’
“Possibly, but the first yellow card was for delaying restart, wasn’t it? So he was hamstrung then and once he starts booking players for fouls, which he did, he then had to keep going.
“But the astonishing thing for me was to find 14 different players and how nobody got sent off was incredible because the law of averages says you’re going to find somebody twice.”
Chelsea fans weren’t happy Taylor got the game in the first place, and they will feel that their unhappinesses with his appointment has now been justified.
Chelsea’s next game could be another heated encounter
On Saturday, Chelsea have another tough away match, travelling to the London Stadium to face West Ham United.
They lost 3-1 there last season, showing that it is not going to be an easy game for Enzo Maresca‘s men.
Being a London derby, things could get ugly again, though it would be a shock if 14 yellow cards were shown on this occasion.
Jadon Sancho will be pushing for a start after his impact off the bench against Bournemouth. The winger passed the ball into Nkunku’s feet before he dispatched it past Mark Travers to win Chelsea the game.
Afterwards, Nkunku sent a message to Sancho on Instagram, truly appreciating the assist from his new teammate.
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