Chelsea and Bournemouth set record for most yellow cards in Premier League game as referee Anthony Taylor awards staggering amount of bookings
Chelsea and Bournemouth have set a new record for most yellow cards in a Premier League game, with referee Anthony Taylor dishing out a total of 14 bookings. The match ended in a 1-0 win for the Blues at Vitality Stadium on Saturday, September 14.
Chelsea received eight yellow cards while Bournemouth were shown six in their fourth Premier League fixture of the season. Cherries midfielder Ryan Christie was the first player to be booked in the match for a late challenge on Cole Palmer in the 18th minute. Wesley Fofana committed a foul on Evanilson and received a yellow card in the 31st minute.
Anthony Taylor then awarded four yellow cards in a span of three minutes, starting with Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook's booking in the 35th minute followed by Blues defender Marc Cucurella a minute later.
Chelsea shot-stopper Robert Sanchez received his first booking for committing a foul on Evanilson in the 38th minute, which led to the Cherries being awarded a penalty. Bournemouth captain Adam Smith also found himself in the referee's notebook for his altercation with Cucurella. Sanchez was able to save Evanilson's right-footed shot in the bottom right corner, preventing the home team from taking the lead.
Following a goalless yet eventful first half, Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson was shown a yellow card in the 57th minute. Levi Colwill attempted a late challenge on Cherries striker Antoine Semenyo, which led to Anthony Taylor showing the Blues defender a yellow card along with Jadon Sancho for protesting against the referee's decision.
Christopher Nkunku, who came off the bench to replace Jackson in the 79th minute, netted the winner in the 86th minute via an assist by Sancho.
Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert, Marcos Senesi, and Antoine Semenyo along with the Blues' Renato Veiga and Joao Felix were also booked during the match.
The previous record for most yellow cards received in a single Premier League match was 13, which took place last September in Tottenham's 2-1 win at home against Sheffield United.
Enzo Maresca on the yellow card record in Chelsea's PL clash against Bournemouth
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca shared his thoughts on the staggering amount of bookings in the Blues' 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday. Interestingly, both managers were also booked during the feisty clash.
Maresca, however, did not seem too concerned about the number of bookings, telling Sky Sports after the match:
"It’s not a problem this amount of yellow cards. It is what it is."
"I complained about a foul on Wesley Fofana which for me was quite clear but it can happen. Eight yellow cards probably because these sort of games are about duels and fight and this can happen. Sometimes the game demands the way you have to behave," added the Italian.
With this win over the Cherries, Chelsea are now seventh in the Premier League with seven points from four matches. Their next league fixture is against West Ham United at London Stadium on September 21.