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Referee Anthony Taylor wrote himself into the history books on Saturday night, becoming the first referee to hand out 14 yellow cards in just one Premier League encounter.
In a bizarre refereeing performance, Taylor managed to hand out more cards than he's likely to receive himself at Christmas, during a game that didn't warrant it. He then made the performance all the more frustrating by handing out bookings for one kind of offense, but then ignoring the same offense over and over again if said offender had already received a yellow card... which as the game went on became harder and harder for him to do.
The most obvious cases of this happening was with Lewis Cook and Marc Cucurella, Chelsea fans no doubt would be perplexed how Cook wasn't shown a second yellow card at some stage, whilst AFC Bournemouth supporters would be equally confused with how Cucurella wasn't sent for an early shower.
Away from Taylor's record-breaking, spotlight-taking performance, the Cherries dominated the majority of the game, hit the crossbar through Marcus Tavernier, hit the post through Ryan Christie, missed a penalty by record-signing Evanilson and would go on to concede a late goal to lose all three points.
Man of the match against Chelsea
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola said...
"We played really well. We had many more chances than them. Their 'keeper, especially, made the difference. He was the best player on the pitch.
"I will not talk about the referee. I've been talking and it's not working. I will try the opposite: not talk and see if something happens."
The gaffer's take after #BOUCHE
- AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) September 15, 2024
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Iraola added...
"I think we were the better team today, I think we deserved probably to win.
"But it's true that when you, especially against this kind of opposition, you miss a penalty, you hit the crossbar, you hit the post, you miss more chances."
"The other keeper is good, you can think in one moment of the game they will make a good connection, they will hurt us, and it was what happened at the end."
AFCBmattjamr How we didn't score at least one goal I will never know. Second time this season now we've been robbed because we can't finish.Secondly, the Christie for Scott sub is baffling and never works. Always disrupts our midfield flow and puts us on the back foot.
A new Premier League record in Bournemouth Chelsea pic.twitter.com/XvuTJqokpe
- Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
wellsworld Regardless of the result, we've played great tonight and made a very good team look very ordinary. Just feels like one of those nights it won't go in. proud supporter!
billythekid A really good game of football especially that first half by our side.
In a game we should have won, we managed to lose, but if you are not clinical and put the ball in the net, that's what happens.
I was surprised that Evanilson took the penalty and didn't think he was going to score.
Thought young Kerkez had a good game.
Tavernier very unlucky with his early attempt that hit the crossbar, deserved a goal.
The referee handed out yellow cards for what looked like soft fouls on occasions.
Not sure why our manager got booked.
AFCB 19 shots, 7 on target.
Chelsea 10 shots, 3 on target.
Jamie Redknapp says Bournemouth were very unlucky vs Chelsea pic.twitter.com/md1gxFrbMa
- Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
afcblady I really enjoyed that game until they scored! However the ref was so bad, the booking of Lewis Cook for a foul on Palmer was right in front of me, Cook made absolutely no contact but Palmer collapsed and sure enough, it was a booking. Also how on earth did Cucurella stay on the pitch, immediately after one of our players was booked for a foul, he made an identical foul but because he was already on a booking and plays for Chelsea he wasn't sent off. - To join the conversation, click here.