Chelsea’s Premier League win at Bournemouth on Saturday marked a notable milestone in the league’s history. This game set a new Premier League record for the most cards shown in a single match. Despite their opponents creating numerous chances, Chelsea emerged victorious, with Christopher Nkunku coming off the bench to secure the winning goal. The referee, Anthony Taylor, didn’t reach for his cards in the first 15 minutes.
However, the match witnessed a surge in card displays shortly afterwards, with six yellow cards shown by the break. The first half included several notable incidents, such as a penalty saved by Bournemouth’s Robert Sanchez, and multiple bookings for fouls and dissent. The second half also saw a flurry of yellow cards, with the total rising to 13 by the end of the game. Chelsea manager Maresca acknowledged the high number of yellow cards but emphasized that this level of physicality and intensity is not unusual in such games.
In the midst of the card-heavy match, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola refrained from commenting on the referee’s decisions. Overall, the match was marked by a significant number of yellow cards, prompting discussions about the intensity and physicality of the game. It was a game where emotions and tensions ran high, ultimately leading to a new record for yellow cards in a Premier League match.