Referee verdict delivered as Chelsea vs Bournemouth sets Premier League yellow card record

Dermot Gallagher has explained why Anthony Taylor was 'forced' to issue a record-breaking number of yellow cards during Chelsea's 1-0 win over Bournemouth. Christopher Nkunku fired the Blues to victory at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday night, extending Enzo Maresca's unbeaten streak.

Taylor brandished the first booking of the tie inside the opening 20 minutes after Ryan Christie was adjudged to have delayed restart. Then, shortly after the half-hour mark, Wesley Fofana was given a caution before a flurry of cards followed.

In the final moments of the first half, Lewis Cook, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez and Adam Smith were all booked. In the second half, another nine yellow cards were dished out – Maresca was also cautioned for his antics on the sidelines.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Referee Watch show, Gallagher was quizzed on Taylor's booking spree. The former Premier League referee said: "He set his stall out early and so he's forced to continue, which he did. The first yellow was for delaying restart so he was hamstrung then. Once he started booking players for fouls, he had to keep going."

Gallagher was then asked to analyse Taylor's decision to award Bournemouth a penalty after Sanchez brought down Evanilson in the box. He said: "Definite penalty. You have to judge whether the keeper makes a genuine attempt to the ball - he does go towards the ball.

"The ball is going wide, it's never going into the goal [so no red]. The keeper doesn't do a lot wrong apart from blocking him off but you've got to give the penalty."

READ MORE: Arsenal and Spurs given Eberechi Eze transfer update as Premier League rival joins race

READ MORE: Man City get Premier League case update as Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs await verdict

Later in the tie, Taylor was reluctant to show Cook a second yellow card for a challenge on Cole Palmer. Gallagher added: "I'd be astonished if I got sent off for that. I don't think it's a yellow card offence. The next card doesn't necessarily mean it's a second yellow, the challenge has to be worthy of a second yellow."

Andoni Iraola refused to discuss Taylor's performance on the South Coast after the game. The Bournemouth boss said: "There were 14 quite easy first yellows then second yellows were not so easy. But I will not focus on the referee. It hasn't worked before so today I will not focus."

Maresca was also somewhat unwilling to comment on Taylor, who raised a few eyebrows. Reflecting on his team's performance, the Chelsea boss said: "I think we played two different games. I think first half we struggled and second half was much better.

"The reason why we struggled first half for me was because we didn't win duels, we didn't win second balls and in this stadium against this team first of all you need to show the desire to win the duels and then also the tactical part is important but first of all you need to show that.

"This was the message after 45 minutes to the players that in this kind of games you have to finish the game with your t-shirt dirty because you need to fight. Second half I thought we were much, much better."

Chelsea have now won four of their last five games, with their next clash coming against West Ham. The Blues will lock horns with Julen Lopetegui's side at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon.