CHELSEA’S win over Bournemouth saw the most yellow cards in a Premier League game EVER.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues nicked a late win at the Vitality Stadium thanks to a timely strike from super-sub Christopher Nkunku.
The result allowed Chelsea to climb up the Premier League table to seventh spot.
But Saturday’s game also resulted in a record amount of yellows shown to players by card-happy referee Anthony Taylor.
Previously, there had never been more than 12 bookings made in a league match.
The first game that saw the huge number of yellows was Wolves vs Newcastle in 2010.
No less than 12 cards were shown in that encounter.
And it was matched six years later when Chelsea hosted Tottenham in the infamous Battle of the Bridge.
However, tonight’s match saw 14 yellows dished out.
Taylor could not resist going to his pocket through the heated clash.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
And it was a miracle that nobody was sent off.
The official actually flashed the yellow SIXTEEN times.
But two of those were for the dugout, with Enzo Maresca and a Bournemouth coach getting booked in the second half.
A clearly frustrated Andoni Iraola refused to give his opinion on the referee after the final whistle.
He told Sky Sports: “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 and see what happens.”
Blues boss Maresca revealed how earned his yellow card.
He said: “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.
“It is not a problem for me with this amount of yellow cards. It is what it is.
“Sometimes the game demands the way you have to behave.”
Taylor’s card-happy antics did not please fans though.
One said: “That’s pathetic.”
Another declared: “What’s wrong with Anthony Taylor?”
One noted: “Just heard Taylor booked the tea lady.”
Another added: “Joke of a referee.”
CHELSEA needed a late moment of magic from Christopher Nkunku to snatch all three points from Bournemouth.
Marcus Tavernier crashed a super strike against the crossbar early on and Robert Sanchez saved an Evanilson penalty before the break.
Jadon Sancho came on for his debut at half-time and made the difference for the Blues as he set up Nkunku’s winner.
Here’s how SunSport’s Graham Nickless rated Maresca’s men…
Robert Sanchez – 8
Man-of-the-match show with first-half penalty save from Evanilson and a handful of excellent saves.
But rather fortunate to stay on the pitch after denying Evanilson a clear goalscoring opportunity with a deliberate foul that led to the spot-kick.
Axel Disasi – 5
The right-back was given an uncomfortable night down the right side.
Given the runaround by Cherries dangerman Antoine Semenyo and was replaced just after the hour.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Did his best to keep a clean sheet when run ragged by the home strikers.
Luckily for the centre-back, he could rely on Sanchez to keep them out.
Levi Colwill – 6
Did his best to calm the storm that came the Blues’ way for most of the match.
Made sure he kept record-signing Evanilson away from notching his first Premier League goal.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Always busy and making a nuisance of himself when he wasn’t being buffeted by Semenyo’s marking.
But overdid it with one stupid, deliberate shoulder barge on the Bournemouth winger.
Renato Veiga – 5
Suffered like most of his team-mates to open up the home side’s defence.
The Portuguese midfielder didn’t see enough of the ball to make an impact.
Moises Caicedo – 7
The captain was always looking for that defence-splitting pass when he wasn’t on defensive duty.
Gave an example to others around him who weren’t putting in a decent shift.
Noni Madueke – 5
Was quite mad attempting an early shot at the home goal that ended up as a throw-in.
And it didn’t get much better than that for the winger who was hauled off just after the hour.
Cole Palmer – 5
Rested by England for tired muscles and there wasn’t much energy in this performance.
But the Cherries, worried by his reputation, did target him in the first half.
Pedro Neto – 5
Failed to make any impact on the wing but could claim he had little or no service.
Boss Maresca had seen enough and brought on Sancho to replace him at half-time.
Nicolas Jackson – 5
Chelsea fans won’t want to suffer another nine years of this from the big striker.
Had one shot comfortably saved and another blocked but will need to show more upfront for his ludicrous long contract.
SUBS
Jadon Sancho (for Neto) – 8
Was booked 11 minutes after coming on then, looked likely throughout second half and set up Nkunku’s equaliser on super debut.
Tosin Adarabioyo (for Disasi) – 6
Was seldom troubled.
Joao Felix (for Madueke) – 5
Tidied up in midfield.
Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson) – 8
Burst through three players to score and snatch the winner.
