Chelsea vs Bournemouth: Most yellow cards in Premier League match.
Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on September 14, 2024, will go down in Premier League history for all the wrong reasons. The match at the Vitality Stadium witnessed a record-breaking 14 yellow cards being shown, the highest ever in a single Premier League game.
A tense affair
The game was a tightly contested affair from the outset, with both teams displaying a high level of intensity. Bournemouth had their fair share of chances, including a missed penalty and hitting the woodwork twice. However, it was Chelsea who managed to break the deadlock in the 86th minute through substitute Christopher Nkunku.
Referee Anthony Taylor takes center stage
Referee Anthony Taylor was kept busy throughout the match, brandishing yellow cards to both teams’ players and even issuing cautions to both managers, Enzo Maresca and Andoni Iraola. Many of the bookings were for dissent and unsportsmanlike conduct, rather than for reckless challenges.
A record-breaking night
The previous record for most yellow cards in a Premier League game was 12, set in a match between Manchester United and Arsenal in 2009. Chelsea’s victory over Bournemouth surpassed that mark, etching their names in the Premier League history books for a rather unwanted reason.
Despite the cards, a fair game?
While the record-breaking number of yellow cards might suggest a heated and ill-tempered match, many observers felt that the game was not particularly dirty. The referee’s strict application of the rules, coupled with the intensity of the contest, led to the unprecedented number of bookings.
Here are some of the key moments from the match:
- 18th minute: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth) is booked for a late challenge on Cole Palmer.
- 31st minute: Wesley Fofana (Chelsea) is booked for a foul on Evanilson.
- 36th minute: Evanilson (Bournemouth) misses a penalty after being fouled by Robert Sanchez (Chelsea).
- 45+1 minute: Enzo Maresca (Chelsea manager) is booked for dissent.
- 45+2 minute: Anthony Taylor (referee) is booed by the Bournemouth fans.
- 52nd minute: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) is booked for a foul on Conor Gallagher.
- 61st minute: Jefferson Lerma (Bournemouth) is booked for a foul on Mykhailo Mudryk.
- 63rd minute: Benoit Badiashile (Chelsea) is booked for a foul on Ryan Christie.
- 72nd minute: Levi Colwill (Chelsea) is booked for a foul on Philip Billing.
- 74th minute: Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth) is booked for a foul on N’Golo Kante.
- 76th minute: Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth manager) is booked for dissent.
- 86th minute: Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea) scores the winning goal.
- 89th minute: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) is booked for a foul on Alex Scott.
- 90+1 minute: David Brooks (Bournemouth) is booked for a foul on Trevoh Chalobah.
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Chelsea’s narrow win
Chelsea’s victory over Bournemouth was a narrow one, but it was nonetheless an important three points for the Blues. The win lifted them into the top half of the Premier League table, while Bournemouth remain in the relegation zone.
The record-breaking number of yellow cards in the Chelsea-Bournemouth match is unlikely to be broken anytime soon. However, it serves as a reminder of the importance of discipline and sportsmanship in football. As the Premier League season progresses, it will be interesting to see if any other matches come close to matching the chaos of this encounter.
DISCLAIMER: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
