Champions Manchester City travel to Chelsea on Sunday in the standout fixture in the Premier League this weekend. The Cityzens will be aiming to capitalise on the Blues poor form at Stamford Bridge, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be buoyed after their 4-1 win at Tottenham on Monday night. So, who will be the Chelsea vs Man City referee for the big clash?
A decision that has raised a few eyebrows this week is the reinstatement of Anthony Taylor to the top-flight and also as the Chelsea vs Man City referee – the biggest game of the weekend. Taylor was demoted to the Championship last weekend, which was his first game at that level since 2019. Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn will be his assistants with Craig Pawson as fourth official. VAR duties fall to Jarred Gillett and Darren Cann.
Chelsea Vs Man City Referee And Premier League Match Officials
(Sunday 12th November 2023)
- Referee: Anthony Taylor
- Assistants: Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn
- Fourth Officials: Craig Pawson
- VAR Officials: Jarred Gillet and Darren Cann (assist)
Has Anthony Taylor Refereed Chelsea Or Man City This Season?
Taylor has officiated nine games in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, with his most recent coming in Wolves 2-2 draw with Newcastle at Molineux in October.
The 45-year-old has officiated just one Chelsea fixture this season, the Blues 1-1 draw with Liverpool on the opening weekend at Stamford Bridge. Taylor has also officiated one Manchester City game as well this season, the Cityzens 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad in September.
Referee Anthony Taylor will return to Premier League action this weekend 👀 pic.twitter.com/xr98DgQbZw
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 7, 2023
Anthony Taylor Referee Stats 2023/24
Taylor has awarded three penalties in the Premier League this season with his most recent and controversial coming in the draw between Wolves and Newcastle in October, which saw him demoted to the Championship for a week.
In terms of cards, Rodri is the only player to be shown a red by Taylor in the Premier League this season. He has shown a total of 43 yellow cards, with ten of those coming in City’s victory over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad. Three of those were shown to City’s players with the remaining seven for Forest players.
Anthony Taylor Stats Summary (2023/24)
- Matches: 9
- Red Cards: 1
- Yellow Cards: 43
- Penalties: 3
VAR Controversies
Taylor has been at the centre of two controversies over the last two weekends. Last Saturday, he awarded Preston a dubious penalty in their 3-2 win over Coventry City at Deepdale, although VAR is not used in the EFL so he had no chance to review the decision. Prior to that, he earned his demotion to the Championship after awarding Newcastle a soft spot-kick after he adjudged Hee-Chan Hwang to have fouled Fabian Schar, although it appeared the former caught the Magpies defender by accident.
It is likely to be a heated affair on Sunday as two of the Premier League’s most successful sides lock horns in west London. A lot of eyes and attention will be on Taylor after his recent mishaps, but it’ll be intriguing to see how the game pans out, and if VAR is required for an controversial incidents.
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