By Mark Clattenburg for the Daily Mail
23:04 06 Nov 2023, updated 01:17 07 Nov 2023
- Chelsea beat Tottenham 4-1 on Monday in what was a fiery encounter
- Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie were both sent off during the match
- CHRIS SUTTON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a CLOWN – It’s All Kicking Off
This was mayhem, like some sort of sequel to ‘The Battle of the Bridge’ in 2016.
That was the hardest match I ever had to referee and this game was as hectic for the officiating team to govern.
There were crunching challenges, petulant kicks, penalty claims, disallowed goals, potential elbows – and that was only in the first half!
It was the type of contest that required the officiating team to be at their very best.
Referee Michael Oliver and VAR John Brooks had to apply the laws but also manage the spectacle, and they were tested to their limits with what happened here…
Udogie escapes red – Wrong decision
Destiny Udogie was lucky for two reasons. One, because Raheem Sterling pulled his leg away to prevent a serious injury.
Two, because Brooks did not tell Oliver that this challenge was worthy of a red. Udogie was airborne, leading with two feet, with studs showing.
It is precisely this type of challenge which needs outlawing from football.
Romero kicks out – Right decision
Pure petulance off the ball from Cristian Romero on Levi Colwill but not violent, so it was right that he avoided red.
Raheem Sterling’s goal in the aftermath needed disallowing due to his handball immediately before scoring.
Romero sees red – Right decision
Once it was established that Moises Caicedo’s strike needed disallowing – due to Nicolas Jackson interfering from an offside position – attention turned to Romero’s challenge on Enzo Fernandez.
I’m not surprised this resulted in a red as well as a penalty. Romero flew into a challenge and took a huge risk, even though he clearly won the ball.
Football has changed so much and now playing the ball is not enough to save someone from red.
James whacks Udogie but stays on – Right decision
James was using his arm to jump, not to endanger. Plus he caught his opponent with his forearm, not the elbow.
Udogie’s second yellow – Right decision
When already on a yellow, Udogie was rash in wiping out Sterling.
This was one of the easiest decisions of the night for Oliver – a second yellow all day long.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
