Anthony Taylor was at the centre of numerous contentious decisions as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 late on at Stamford Bridge.
Moises Caicedo got Chelsea off to a fantastic start as he rifled a shot past the hapless Giorgi Marmadashvili in the 14th minute, with acres of space to line up a strike from the edge of the box into the top-left corner.
Chelsea FC vs Liverpool FC
Dominik Szoboszlai came close to levelling not long after as his shot was well-blocked by Benoit Badiashile on the line, and Alexander Isak also wasted a decent chance just before the break as he sent a header over the crossbar.
Liverpool levelled proceedings just after the hour mark as Cody Gakpo poked home from close-range after Isak had helped a cross into his path, but Estevao popped up with a winner in added-time and the game ended 2-1 to Chelsea thanks to the young Brazilian star.
Anthony Taylor was the man in the middle at Stamford Bridge, and Football Insider have picked out three decisions he made that should have gone a different way.
Moises Caicedo deserved a yellow for high tackle on Dominik Szoboszlai
Chelsea’s poor disciplinary record has been criticised in recent weeks, with three red cards in their last four games, but it seems as if Enzo Maresca has not told his side to let up in terms of strong challenges.
The half-hour mark beckoned as Gakpo tried to find Szoboszlai with a lofted pass, but he was caught late and high by Caicedo, who leaned into the challenge and did not win any of the ball.
Considering that the Hungary international had already flicked it past his opposite number, and the height of Caicedo’s tackle, it was the wrong decision by Taylor to only award a free-kick, and not book the Chelsea goalscorer.
Alejandro Garnacho should have been booked for diving
Chelsea players, fans and coaches all screamed for a penalty in the 39th minute of the game as Alejandro Garnacho was seemingly brought down by Szoboszlai in the box.
Taylor rightly waved away the hosts’ claims for a spot-kick, as replays showed there was minimal contact from the Hungarian midfielder, but he should have gone a step further and booked the Chelsea man for what was a clear act of simulation.
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Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that Garnacho went to ground “too easily” against Liverpool, and so he was clearly lucky not to be given a booking, with Enzo Maresca then given a yellow for his reaction to the decision.
Szoboszlai should not have been booked for Marc Cucurella challenge
Chelsea players and supporters were once again up in arms as Szoboszlai was booked after seemingly catching Marc Cucurella with a late challenge in the 79th minute, but replays showed that he was unfortunate to see yellow.
The tackle was a lot worse and looked more clumsy in real-time, as the pair actually both kicked the ball at the same time, and the force of the challenge from each of them sent Szoboszlai flying over Cucurella as he accidentally caught him in the air.
It was certainly not a challenge worthy of him going into the book, especially considering some of the other challenges that Taylor let go, like the one on him from Caicedo.
Anthony TaylorChelseaLiverpool
Huge’ – Ex-FIFA ref hits out at officials over Enzo Maresca red card vs Liverpool
Enzo Maresca’s red card against Liverpool for celebrating Estevao’s last-minute goal was “avoidable”.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the referee put a dampener on what was a profound and special moment for the Blues.
Chelsea have been struggling in recent weeks, winning just two of their last six games before their clash with the defending Premier League champions.
Despite Enzo Maresca being under pressure, the Italian manager set his Chelsea side up in an unorthodox way, with Malo Gusto in midfield.
What resulted was a phenomenal performance, a Moises Caicedo wonder-strike, and a 96th-minute winner from Brazilian wonderkid Estevao.
However, during the chaos of the moment, Maresca‘s Jose Mourinho-running-down-the-touchline moment was spoiled by the man in charge of the match.
LIVERPOOL10 months ago