Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
SportsCasting
SportsCasting
Ben Horlock

Tottenham V Chelsea Referee: Blues Fans Left Raging At Decision

Anthony Taylor Chelsea Tottenham Spurs Marc Cucurella Adam Nunn Cristian Romero EPL Gary Beswick Lewis Smith

The Tottenham v Chelsea referee has been announced as Anthony Taylor ahead of this weekend’s crunch London derby. 

A section of Blues supporters have been left raging with the Premier League‘s decision to appoint Taylor for such a crucial game.

Many turned to X, formerly Twitter, voicing their concerns. Supporters suggested that the official has often displayed bias for opposing teams. Which includes Spurs.

Earlier this season, Taylor had the whistle during the bad tempered game between the west Londoners and Bournemouth. The 46-year-old issued a record 14 yellow cards with eight going to Enzo Maresca’s players.

After the game, Taylor was hit with a torrent of abuse on various social media platforms. He was then pardoned from refereeing in the top-flight the following week.

Sunday’s clash will see Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn employed as Taylor’s assistants. Lewis Smith will act as fourth official with VAR duties falling to Jarrad Gillett and Mark Scholes.

Tottenham Vs Chelsea Referee And Premier League Match Officials (Sunday December 8)

  • Referee: Anthony Taylor
  • Assistants: Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn
  • Fourth Official: Lewis Smith
  • VAR Officials: Jarrad Gillett and Mark Scholes (assist)

Tottenham Vs Chelsea Referee Announced As Anthony Taylor

The appointment of Anthony Taylor as the Tottenham v Chelsea referee has caused quite the stir amongst sections of Blues supporters.

Officiating such a high-pressured game will see the spotlight fall on Taylor once again. Especially as he has a chequered history overseeing previous encounters involving the west Londoners.

Subsequently, many fans of the Stamford Bridge outfit are extremely unhappy that Taylor has been tasked with such a high-profile fixture.

Additionally, many are still fuming with Taylor’s last performance in this fixture back in August 2022. The official failed to award a penalty when Marc Cucurella was hauled down by his hair from Cristian Romero.

Furthermore, Kai Havertz was hacked down whilst on the attack with no free-kick given. Both of those major talking points saw Spurs counter and go on to score.

Anthony Taylor’s Premier League Stats For Chelsea And Spurs

In the 43 Premier League fixtures that Anthony Taylor has officiated involving Tottenham, the north Londoners have won on 24 occasions.

A total of 72 Lilywhites players have been booked by Taylor and only three dismissed. The 46-year-old has awarded just four penalties.

Meanwhile, Taylor has refereed 42 English top-flight games involving Chelsea. Of those fixtures, the Blues have been victorious 20 times.

An astonishing 100 bookings have been issued to players of the west Londoners during Taylor’s tenure of games. However, only one has seen red. Seven penalties have been issued.

Chelsea Fans React On X

Once the Tottenham v Chelsea referee was announced on Tuesday, a plethora of fans displayed their displeasure at the outcome of Anthony Taylor’s appointment.

One user posted: “Putting Anthony Taylor on an already incendiary fixture, after he failed to keep control of one clash before between the two teams several years ago is disgraceful.”

Another wrote: “Chelsea building form and momentum so they hit us with the Anthony Taylor Referee and Jarred Gillet VAR combo. And of course it happens to be against Spurs. Horrible corrupt b******s.”

“Once again , i dont get why we haven’t written a formal complaint about Anthony Taylor reffing our games,” was posted by another disgruntled fan. Scroll down for a look at some of the best reactions. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
FDA restricts psychoactive mushroom used in some edibles
The regulator warned food manufacturers that Amanita muscaria –  more commonly known as the fly agaric – and the compounds it contains are not authorized to use
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
“I go to church every Sunday when I’m home. Especially now I’ve replaced the booze with glue”: From GN’R and Pantera to Ozzy Osbourne and God, Zakk Wylde is the most connected man in rock
It’s Zakk Wylde’s world - we just live in it
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
My husband and I tried the Scandi Sleep Method and love it — 3 reasons you will too
We avoided a sleep divorce thanks to the Scandinavian Sleep Method, but will it work for you too? Three telltale signs that it will...
Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
45 Years Ago, A Disney Misstep Was A Secret Sci-Fi Masterpiece
The haters were wrong. On its 45th birthday, 'The Black Hole' is just as wonderfully manic as ever. Here's why this flop is actually worth your time.
Inverse
Inverse
Black long COVID patients ignored
New research found that those living with long COVID in the U.S. had significantly more anxiety and depression
Salon
Salon
Jared Leto’s latest ‘iconic’ role leaves fans divided
‘Skeletor was going to make or break this movie,’ said one fan
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play