The Premier League’s worst-played game: We recap Bournemouth’s 14 yellow cards against Chelsea

A penalty, 25 fouls, countless whistles from the referee and 14 yellow cards… this is the worst played match in the history of the Premier League.

Chelsea players received eight cautions and Bournemouth six at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, setting a new caution record under match referee Anthony Taylor.

The highest number of yellow cards in a match was 12 when Chelsea played London rivals Tottenham in 2016, and the same number for Wolves against Newcastle in 2010.

Earlier today (Sunday) it briefly looked as though yesterday’s record might last less than 24 hours, when seven yellows were shown in the first 45 minutes of Tottenham v Arsenal, equalling the Premier League record for a first half, but greater discipline was employed in the second half of that game.

Thus, Bournemouth against Chelsea, won 1-0 by the latter thanks to Christopher Nkunku’s goal in the 80th minute, now bears the crown of the worst played match in the history of the Premier League.

Here The Athletic reviews each booking to see what is happening…

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Reservation 1, 18 minutes

Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie sets the tone. The 29-year-old hit Cole Palmer in the right quadriceps with his knee just as the England international received a pass and flicked it past him with one agile move.

On the field, Palmer calls the foul, sees it called, then shows a little more pain for good measure. Christie takes the penalty with only minor complaints.

Reservation 2, 31min

The ball is sent flying to Evanilson, signed this summer from Bournemouth for €47 million (£40.3 million; $51.7 million), who jostles for a header with Wesley Fofana. The Chelsea defender makes what appears to be minimal contact with his arm on the Brazilian’s cheek, but it is enough to send him to the ground clutching his face. Evanilson wins the free-kick he was hoping for and Fofana is penalised.

“The referee thought it was too aggressive but I don’t agree with that,” former Ireland international Andy Townsend said of Peacock’s comment. “I don’t think what Fofana did was unusual. Yes, he got a slap but it wasn’t an elbow.”

Reservation 3, 35min

Again Palmer’s quick feet are getting people into trouble. He receives another pass on the right and Lewis Cook steps up to block it but catches it very lightly.

Bournemouth’s two defensive midfielders are now in the mix. Cook had kept Palmer close and that will make their task of thwarting him much more difficult.

All things considered, it’s an easy yellow card – and Cook leads the Premier League charts for most fouls committed so far this season with 13.

Reservation 4, 36min

Minutes after being taken to the ground looking for a foul, Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella took the blame himself.

Evanilson challenges Levi Colwill near the touchline and Cucurella leaps, turns his back and shoves the attacker, kicking him in the leg. He then dares to look surprised when Taylor blows his whistle and delivers the yellow card.

Reservation 5, 37min

Fofana’s back pass to his goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, as Evanilson sprints behind, makes life difficult for Chelsea’s number one. As the Bournemouth striker licks the ball over Sanchez, the keeper hits him. The contact was fairly minimal, but a penalty is not unreasonable.

It’s good news for Sanchez, who saves the penalty.

Reservation 6, 38min

Our first booking of the evening for the dissent.

It is useful to put this into context. The threshold for protest (talking back, protesting excessively or verbally abusing the referee) was lowered last season. The Premier League’s new rules state that when multiple players approach the referee, at least one, or more, will automatically receive a yellow card. The league has maintained this approach this season to crack down on protest.

Bournemouth player Adam Smith is therefore yellow-flagged, possibly for demanding Sanchez’s sending off.

Reservation 7, 52min

“He’s not got much room left on that piece of paper,” said Peacock’s match commentator Chris Wise as Taylor punished more verbal abuse, this time from Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.

The Senegalese made a gesture of “supplication” to Taylor, who was in no mood to show mercy.

Reservation 8, 57min

Colwill gets into a duel as Antoine Semenyo rushes onto a back pass, but the defender wins the ball and the man. It’s Chelsea’s third back four in the book.

Reservation 9, 57min

“There’s another yellow card from Anthony Taylor,” Townsend said. “There are so many meaningless, unnecessary yellow cards.”

And it seems a bit petulant from the referee, pointed at Jadon Sancho for disputing the draw on a free-kick. Sancho makes the prayer hand gesture and smiles when Taylor shows him a yellow card.

“He takes no prisoners for dissent, Anthony Taylor,” former Arsenal striker Alan Smith told Sky Sports.

Reservation 10, 59 minutes

The most impressive thing about Justin Kluivert’s yellow is his sheer determination. He sprints 20 metres to catch Noni Madueke as Chelsea counter-attack.

The danger is stopped because a professional error is well executed.

Then a remarkable 20 minutes passed without a reservation…

Reservation 11, 80min

A well-deserved yellow card for Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi gets us back on track. He charges straight into the back of Joao Felix, who cries out in pain.

The Argentinian tries to ask for clemency but has no luck.

Reservation 12, 87min

Change of pace, Taylor gives us a yellow card for foul or protest. This time, it is the exuberance of youth that puts Renato Veiga in difficulty.

The 21-year-old had broken the rules by crossing the advertising board and jumping into the crowd to celebrate Nkunku’s goal with the supporters.

Reservation 13, 90mins+1

Chelsea substitute Joao Felix makes an energetic appearance…

…as he decides to chase Alex Scott before putting his hand under the Bournemouth man’s face.

Reservation 14, 90 min+6

One last punishment for dissent, then. Semenyo makes sure we go out with a prolonged groan.

Part of his speech is even directed at Taylor’s back, with the referee perhaps trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Taylor lets Taylor rant for 20 seconds before turning around and delivering his final, record-breaking masterstroke.

“You’re an embarrassment,” chant frustrated Bournemouth fans.

And that’s it. Fourteen players have been booked, not including the two head coaches, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca. That should result in fines from the English Football Association for both teams and a dark room for Taylor to lie down in.

(Top photo: Robert Sanchez gets a booking; Ryan Hiscott via Getty Images)