Anthony Taylor at the Centre of Controversy as Chelsea Edge Liverpool 2–1 at Stamford Bridge
Anthony Taylor once again found himself in the spotlight after a string of debatable decisions marred Chelsea’s dramatic 2–1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Moises Caicedo gave Chelsea the perfect start in the 14th minute, unleashing a thunderous strike from the edge of the box that left Giorgi Mamardashvili rooted to the spot. The Ecuadorian midfielder was afforded far too much space, and he made no mistake — rifling the ball into the top-left corner to ignite the home crowd.
Liverpool nearly hit back soon after when Dominik Szoboszlai’s effort was cleared off the line by Benoît Badiashile. Alexander Isak also came close, heading over just before halftime as the Reds searched for an equaliser.
After the break, Liverpool finally found their breakthrough. Cody Gakpo reacted quickest to a deflected cross and poked the ball home from close range to make it 1–1 just past the hour mark. But Chelsea’s young sensation Estêvão stole the headlines late on, netting a stoppage-time winner to secure all three points for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Yet, despite the drama on the pitch, much of the post-match conversation revolved around referee Anthony Taylor — and three major calls that left fans and pundits fuming.
1️⃣ Moises Caicedo escapes yellow after high tackle on Szoboszlai
Chelsea’s discipline has been a recurring concern this season, and Caicedo was lucky not to add to the team’s poor record.
Around the 30-minute mark, the Ecuadorian caught Szoboszlai late and high as the Hungarian midfielder flicked the ball past him. The challenge clearly missed the ball and caught the Liverpool man’s leg — but Taylor opted only for a free-kick.
Given the height and timing of the tackle, many believe Caicedo should have seen yellow at the very least.
2️⃣ Alejandro Garnacho avoids booking for simulation
Controversy struck again in the 39th minute when Chelsea appealed for a penalty after Alejandro Garnacho went down under minimal contact from Szoboszlai.
Replays showed that the Hungarian barely touched him, and Taylor rightly waved play on. However, he failed to book Garnacho for what appeared to be a blatant dive — a decision that frustrated Liverpool players and fans alike.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett later told Football Insider that Garnacho “went down far too easily” and should have been cautioned for simulation. Instead, it was Enzo Maresca who saw yellow for protesting on the touchline.
3️⃣ Harsh yellow for Szoboszlai after challenge on Cucurella
In the 79th minute, Szoboszlai was booked following a collision with Marc Cucurella. However, slow-motion replays suggested that the contact was accidental — both players kicked the ball at the same time before Szoboszlai was flipped over the Spaniard in the follow-through.
The challenge looked far worse in real-time, and many argued that it was not even a foul, let alone a booking. The incident only added to the perception that Taylor’s officiating lacked consistency, especially after he had allowed Caicedo’s earlier challenge to go unpunished.
Maresca’s red card sparks fresh debate
The match’s final controversy came in stoppage time. After Estêvão’s 96th-minute winner, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca charged down the touchline in celebration — only to be shown a red card by Taylor moments later.
Former referee Keith Hackett criticised the decision, telling Football Insider that the dismissal was “avoidable” and “put a dampener on a special moment” for the Blues.
Despite recent struggles, Maresca’s men produced one of their best displays of the season — with an inspired tactical setup and standout performances from Caicedo and Estêvão. But even in victory, the headlines once again circled around Anthony Taylor’s decisions rather than Chelsea’s football.
The Verdict
Chelsea’s win over Liverpool should have been remembered for Estêvão’s brilliance and Caicedo’s wonder strike. Instead, it reignited the ongoing debate over refereeing standards in the Premier League.
From missed bookings to a harsh red card, Anthony Taylor’s performance has drawn criticism from fans, pundits, and former officials alike — leaving many to ask the familiar question: why are key decisions still defining top-flight matches.
