Chelsea’s late 1-0 win over Bournemouth saw the Premier League record broken for most yellow cards in a single game.
The previous record for the most cautions in a Premier League clash was 13 – set by Tottenham in their 2–1 win over Sheffield United on September 2023.
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Taylor was giving out cards like it was ChristmasCredit: Getty
Now, that record has been broken, with Saturday’s ill-tempered clash at the Vitality Stadium seeing a whopping 14 dished out by referee Anthony Taylor.
Two of those came when Chelsea conceded a penalty in the first half, with one going to goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and the second going to Adam Smith.
Though Sanchez, who gave away the penalty following a poor back pass from Wesley Fofana, redeemed himself by brilliantly saving Evanilson’s spot-kick.
And there were three yellow cards brandished from the 87th minute onwards which helped secured a unique piece of Premier League history.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola refused to comment on Taylor’s refereeing performance in his post-match interview.
He said: “I will not talk about the referee.
“I have been talking and it is not working so I have decide now I will try the opposite, not talk and let’s see what happens.”
Asked for his thoughts on whether he felt it was an aggressive match, he simply stated: “No comment.”
In the end, it was Chelsea who ran out as 1-0 winners on the south coast, with substitute Christopher Nkunku firing in an 86th minute winner.
He combined with Blues debutant and Jadon Sancho, who picked up the man of the match award from the bench, with Nkunku then firing home into the bottom right corner.
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A Premier League record of 14 yellow cards were dished out at the Vitality StadiumCredit: Getty
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And it was Chelsea who came out on top on what was an ill-tempered affairCredit: Getty
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Nkunku scored the only goal of the game on the south coast
Despite a late Bournemouth onslaught, Chelsea held on for the win, which has seen them secure their first away clean sheet since October 2023.
But in truth, they can count themselves somewhat fortuitous to walk away with three points.
Goalkeeper Sanchez proved to be Chelsea’s hero throughout, where he made a total of seven saves – including his penalty heroics.
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Chelsea had almost less than half the shots the hosts mustered, while they also had less possession, but in the end, they showed their resilience to grind out the victory.
Their win has lifted them up to seventh in the table – level on points with London rivals Arsenal in sixth.
Meanwhile Bournemouth have dropped into 11th spot, though boss Iraola will be pleased with what he saw from his side.
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This is how the table looks heading into Sunday’s fixtures
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Liverpool’s perfect start to life under Arne Slot has continued with a solid victory over Brentford, with two key attackers getting their names on the score sheet.
However, the new boss has made no assurances the club’s big-name stars will be retained beyond this season.
Elsewhere, a Chelsea star quickly deleted his foul-mouthed criticism of Wolverhampton before slotting a hattrick past the Wolves.
Newcastle, meanwhile, were lucky to come away from the Vitality Stadium with a draw.
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LIVERPOOL’S PERFECT START UNDER SLOT AMID VAN DIJK DOUBTS
Arne Slot enjoyed a winning bow as Liverpool boss at Anfield with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah scoring in a 2-0 win over Brentford on Sunday.
The Reds join Manchester City, Arsenal and Brighton as the only sides with maximum points from two games of the new Premier League season.
Tougher tests lie ahead of Slot in his daunting task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp, starting with a visit to Manchester United next weekend.
But the early signs are positive for the Dutchman as his side are yet to concede and showcased their wealth of attacking options, spearheaded by Salah.
Slot is expected to instill a more possession-focused approach than the one adopted by Klopp in his near nine years in charge.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, interacts with Harvey Elliott of Liverpool after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield on August 25, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
However, Liverpool’s opener was straight out of the Klopp copybook. From a Brentford corner, Salah released Diogo Jota, who timed his pass perfectly into Diaz to charge through on goal and fire into the top corner on 13 minutes.
Thereafter there were only flashes of the football Slot is hoping to bring in the first half.
Brentford were again missing Ivan Toney, who is expected to leave the club before Friday’s transfer deadline.
But the Bees still posed a threat without the England striker and should have levelled 10 minutes into the second half.
Nathan Collins met Mathias Jensen’s enticing cross with a bullet header that Alisson Becker did brilliantly to parry.
That warning awoke Liverpool from their slumber early in the second period. Collins made a goal-saving block moments later to deny Jota turning in Alexander-Arnold’s low cross.
Vitaly Janelt was next to get a vital foot in to prevent Salah rounding off a slick team move.
Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken then produced a brilliant stop to turn Diaz’s powerful effort behind.
As is so often the case, the Reds had to turn to Salah to provide the clinical finish to finally make the points safe.
The impressive Diaz this time bagged the assist and the Egyptian managed to time his run perfectly to remain onside and dink the ball over Flekken.
Meanwhile, captain Virgil van Dijk said his focus is on leading the Reds’ transition under their new manager this season despite doubt over his future at Anfield.
The Dutch centre-back has less than a year remaining on his contract with no signs of an immediate agreement on a new deal.
Van Dijk has been fundamental to Liverpool’s success since joining for a then world record £75 million ($99 million) fee for a defender in January 2018.
“I’m very calm,” van Dijk told Sky Sports.
Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool interacts with Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield on August 25, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I want to be important and stay important for the club. What happens? Let’s see, but I’m very calm about my situation. There’s no reason for me to think about something else because I have the whole season to play.”
Van Dijk has won the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups during his time at Liverpool.
The 33-year-old is expected to be vital to helping his compatriot Slot instill his ideas as he faces the daunting task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp.
“Whatever happens now, Anfield has a special place in my heart. And it’s been successful. Let’s see what happens,” added van Dijk.
“Playing for Liverpool, one of the most if not the most successful club in the world. It feels great to wear the shirt.
“But there’s so much for the club to improve on, for myself and the team, let’s see what (the season) it brings.”
Slot was serenaded in the closing stages by the 60,000 crowd chanting his name – as they had been instructed to do by Klopp at his farewell in May.
Van Dijk isn’t the only big-name player potentially playing for their future at Anfield, with Slot revealing no one is a certainty to earn new contracts.
“If we bring the best out of them, and they perform really well, then it’s up to them if they want to sign, it’s up to us [the club] if we give them a new contract.”
Van Dijk, alongside Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are the players with contracts that expire at the end of the season.
Madueke hat-trick sinks Wolves | 00:33
MADUEKE CAUGHT OUT
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke apologised for his foul-mouthed criticism of Wolverhampton after responding to the controversy with a hat-trick in Sunday’s 6-2 victory at Molineux.
Madueke posted and then deleted a critical opinion about Wolverhampton just hours before playing in the city, whose industrial heritage includes coal mining and steel production.
Madueke shared his location, which was Wolverhampton, in the post, which read “this place is s**t”.
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke’s accidental social media post.Source: FOX SPORTS
The 22-year-old later shared: “Damn wrong Instagram account. You lot are too fast.” Madueke was booed by Wolves fans but he silenced his tormentors with a treble and then said sorry for his social media faux pas.
“I just want to apologise to everyone that I might have offended. It is just a human mistake, an accident. It wasn’t meant to be out on my socials like that. I’m sure Wolverhampton is a nice town and I’m sorry,” he said.
“In terms of the boos I expected it but it is part of the game. You have to be able to play under that sort of pressure.” Madueke’s hat-trick was aided by three assists from Cole Palmer. Palmer has been nicknamed ‘cold’ for his ice-cool approach to finishing, especially from the penalty spot.
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke quickly deleted his post.Source: FOX SPORTS
Madueke said his more emotional style of play made them the perfect combination.
“It is unbelievable. He is cold and I am fire so it mixes well. He has the ability to always play a pass at the right time,” he said.
“I like to get the ball in space, beat people and make things happen, so luckily today it worked.
“The first one was a bit lucky. Second one was all Cole, two brilliant passes. I’m made up for the hat-trick but more made up we won the game.” Madueke’s treble inspired Chelsea’s first Premier League win under new boss Enzo Maresca.
Beaten by Manchester City in their league opener last weekend, Chelsea beat Servette in a UEFA Conference League playoff on Thursday, with Madueke on the scoresheet against the Swiss side before his demolition job at Molineux.
“Everyone saw what he did at Leicester last year, he is mad about the details,” Madueke said of Maresca’s promotion-winning campaign with Leicester.
“Even in the first game against City there were some nice patterns of play but we just couldn’t finish it off. It is a great day today, I am happy he has got his first Premier League win for Chelsea.” Showing the attention to detail that Madueke referenced, Maresca praised his winger’s contribution but still found one small fault.
“In the first 10 minutes he had two chances and overall he was very good. The only thing I didn’t like from Noni is the free-kick he gave away before halftime and we can avoid that, especially against a team who are good from set pieces,” he said.
“In the first 10 minutes we created two or three chances and scored a goal and then we started to lose the ball, but overall a good performance.
“Absolutely there always things we can improve on. We can learn many things.”
Gundogan set to return to Man City? | 01:06
CONTROVERSY AT THE VITALITY STADIUM
At the Vitality Stadium, Newcastle rescued a controversial 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.
Newcastle trailed when Joelinton carelessly lost possession and Antoine Semenyo’s low cross was touched in by Marcus Tavernier in the 37th minute.
Eddie Howe’s team equalised in the 76th minute as Harvey Barnes floated in a cross that Anthony Gordon slotted home from close range.
Bournemouth were furious to be denied a stoppage-time winner when VAR ruled Dango Ouattara had handled before heading in.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said: “It’s very difficult to digest. It’s obvious what happened. We should have won the game.
“The ball touched his shoulder. The referee could not do anything else, someone call him and said he have to disallow it. No-one will remember this in two weeks. I’m very frustrated.”
