Davey Baby

This is the game that first alerted me to Taylor's bias against us, and it was 5 and a half years ago. We were playing Stoke away, under Conte ironically, and we were kicked off the park for 90 minutes, and the ref did nothing, I remember watching in incredulity. The ref just let them do what they want. As you'll see, right at the end, their player gets a second yellow and a red card, but this was with mere seconds remaining, we'd won the game, and as the commentator says, that was the fourth yellow card tackle the defender had committed. 
 
What really stuck out was Stoke's two goals, one disallowed and the other a pen which was awarded to them. We go 1-0 up and Stoke equalise but the linesman disallows it for an obvious push on Matic which Taylor "misses". Not content, Taylor runs over to the linesman to seek clarification, something you very rarely see. The linesman explains what happened and the goal's disallowed. Not content, minutes later, Taylor awards Stoke a pen, that none of their players claimed for. This time he sees a push. Watch it yourself. It's the merest of touches, and look at Taylor's position, he's miles away.
 
I remember thinking at the time, this ref's a cheat.
 
A couple of months later, in the FA Cup final, Taylor awarded Arsenal a goal when it was a clear handball in the build-up, right in front of him. Not only that however, they have a player in an offside position who's clearly interfering with play, so much so that Courtois runs towards him thinking he's going to touch the ball. The linesman disallows the goal. What happened? Taylor runs over to the linesman, speaks to him, and gives the goal. You very rarely see a ref run over to the linesman with a view to possibly overruling him but here we see it twice in the space of 10 weeks.
 
For all I know, Taylor didn't officiate any Chelsea games between those two matches, so in all likelihood that's two consecutive matches where the linesman has disallowed a goal against us for clear infringements and Taylor has run over to him with a view of overruling his linesman. These are the things that get missed. People highlight the spectacular errors he makes against us, as they should, but the fact decisions in our favour are under far more scrutiny from him should also be highlighted.
 
Yesterday was incredible. He saw the hair-pulling. It was right in front of him. He was looking straight at it. He was five yards away, if that. It's a straight red. It's an easy decision. Instead he consults his VAR official who happens to be Mike Dean. What could possibly go wrong?
 
I know people might think this is paranoid or conspiratorial but in the case of Taylor it's open and shut. Since Liverpool away last season where he sent off Reece he's been much fairer in our games because he knows he's been called out, but yesterday he reverted to type and I think there's too much suspicion around him for him to be allowed to ref our games. He becomes the focus rather than the game, all trust has been eroded, and I think the authorities need to keep him well away from us from now on. Of course he can still influence our fate by refereeing our rivals and giving them favourable decisions but that's completely out of our hands. Liverpool and Utd particularly seem to do well out of him. It's in our hands to highlight his bias against us. Don't stop until something gets done.
 
Videos like the below need to be shared far and wide and I applaud any campaign that seeks to get him banned from our games. Enough is enough. Unfortunately the video is vertical (it's easier to watch on your phone, as you can tilt it sideways) and I'm not very technical so I'd appreciate it if anyone can make it horizontal, or maybe there's a better video on youtube that I haven't seen. None of the incidents in the game against Stoke got any coverage, because we won the game in the late stages and their player was sent off, so it looks like nothing untoward happened. However the ref cheated us for 90 minutes.
 
Their disallowed goal on 2mins 40secs, their pen on 4mins 20 secs, and their red card on 11mins 50 secs.
 
 
 

This is the game that first alerted me to Taylor's bias against us, and it was 5 and a half years ago. We were playing Stoke away, under Conte ironically, and we were kicked off the park for 90 minutes, and the ref did nothing, I remember watching in incredulity. The ref just let them do what they want. As you'll see, right at the end, their player gets a second yellow and a red card, but this was with mere seconds remaining, we'd won the game, and as the commentator says, that was the fourth yellow card tackle the defender had committed. 
 
What really stuck out was Stoke's two goals, one disallowed and the other a pen which was awarded to them. We go 1-0 up and Stoke equalise but the linesman disallows it for an obvious push on Matic which Taylor "misses". Not content, Taylor runs over to the linesman to seek clarification, something you very rarely see. The linesman explains what happened and the goal's disallowed. Not content, minutes later, Taylor awards Stoke a pen, that none of their players claimed for. This time he sees a push. Watch it yourself. It's the merest of touches, and look at Taylor's position, he's miles away.
 
I remember thinking at the time, this ref's a cheat.
 
A couple of months later, in the FA Cup final, Taylor awarded Arsenal a goal when it was a clear handball in the build-up, right in front of him. Not only that however, they have a player in an offside position who's clearly interfering with play, so much so that Courtois runs towards him thinking he's going to touch the ball. The linesman disallows the goal. What happened? Taylor runs over to the linesman, speaks to him, and gives the goal. You very rarely see a ref run over to the linesman with a view to possibly overruling him but here we see it twice in the space of 10 weeks.
 
For all I know, Taylor didn't officiate any Chelsea games between those two matches, so in all likelihood that's two consecutive matches where the linesman has disallowed a goal against us for clear infringements and Taylor has run over to him with a view of overruling his linesman. These are the things that get missed. People highlight the spectacular errors he makes against us, as they should, but the fact decisions in our favour are under far more scrutiny from him should also be highlighted.
 
Yesterday was incredible. He saw the hair-pulling. It was right in front of him. He was looking straight at it. He was five yards away, if that. It's a straight red. It's an easy decision. Instead he consults his VAR official who happens to be Mike Dean. What could possibly go wrong?
 
I know people might think this is paranoid or conspiratorial but in the case of Taylor it's open and shut. Since Liverpool away last season where he sent off Reece he's been much fairer in our games because he knows he's been called out, but yesterday he reverted to type and I think there's too much suspicion around him for him to be allowed to ref our games. He becomes the focus rather than the game, all trust has been eroded, and I think the authorities need to keep him well away from us from now on. Of course he can still influence our fate by refereeing our rivals and giving them favourable decisions but that's completely out of our hands. Liverpool and Utd particularly seem to do well out of him. It's in our hands to highlight his bias against us. Don't stop until something gets done.
 
Videos like the below need to be shared far and wide and I applaud any campaign that seeks to get him banned from our games. Enough is enough. Unfortunately the video is vertical (it's easier to watch on your phone, as you can tilt it sideways) and I'm not very technical so I'd appreciate it if anyone can make it horizontal, or maybe there's a better video on youtube that I haven't seen. None of the incidents in the game against Stoke got any coverage, because we won the game in the late stages and their player was sent off, so it looks like nothing untoward happened. However the ref cheated us for 90 minutes.
 
Their disallowed goal on 2mins 40secs, their pen on 4mins 20 secs, and their red card on 11mins 50 secs.
 
 
 

This is the game that first alerted me to Taylor's bias against us, and it was 5 and a half years ago. We were playing Stoke away, under Conte ironically, and we were kicked off the park for 90 minutes, and the ref did nothing, I remember watching in incredulity. The ref just let them do what they want. As you'll see, right at the end, their player gets a second yellow and a red card, but this was with mere seconds remaining, we'd won the game, and as the commentator says, that was the fourth yellow card tackle the defender had committed. 
 
What really stuck out was Stoke's two goals, one disallowed and the other a pen which was awarded to them. We go 1-0 up and Stoke equalise but the linesman disallows it for an obvious push on Matic which Taylor "misses". Not content, Taylor runs over to the linesman to seek clarification, something you very rarely see. The linesman explains what happened and the goal's disallowed. Not content, minutes later, Taylor awards Stoke a pen, that none of their players claimed for. This time he sees a push. Watch it yourself. It's the merest of touches, and look at Taylor's position, he's miles away.
 
I remember thinking at the time, this ref's a cheat.
 
A couple of months later, in the FA Cup final, Taylor awarded Arsenal a goal when it was a clear handball in the build-up, right in front of him. Not only that however, they have a player in an offside position who's clearly interfering with play, so much so that Courtois runs towards him thinking he's going to touch the ball. The linesman disallows the goal. What happened? Taylor runs over to the linesman, speaks to him, and gives the goal. You very rarely see a ref run over to the linesman with a view to possibly overruling him but here we see it twice in the space of 10 weeks.
 
For all I know, Taylor didn't officiate any Chelsea games between those two matches, so in all likelihood that's two consecutive matches where the linesman has disallowed a goal against us for clear infringements and Taylor has run over to him with a view of overruling his linesman. These are the things that get missed. People highlight the spectacular errors he makes against us, as they should, but the fact decisions in our favour are under far more scrutiny from him should also be highlighted.
 
Yesterday was incredible. He saw the hair-pulling. It was right in front of him. He was looking straight at it. He was five yards away, if that. It's a straight red. It's an easy decision. Instead he consults his VAR official who happens to be Mike Dean. What could possibly go wrong?
 
I know people might think this is paranoid or conspiratorial but in the case of Taylor it's open and shut. Since Liverpool away last season where he sent off Reece he's been much fairer in our games because he knows he's been called out, but yesterday he reverted to type and I think there's too much suspicion around him for him to be allowed to ref our games. He becomes the focus rather than the game, all trust has been eroded, and I think the authorities need to keep him well away from us from now on. Of course he can still influence our fate by refereeing our rivals and giving them favourable decisions but that's completely out of our hands. Liverpool and Utd particularly seem to do well out of him. It's in our hands to highlight his bias against us. Don't stop until something gets done.
 
Videos like the below need to be shared far and wide and I applaud any campaign that seeks to get him banned from our games. Enough is enough. Unfortunately the video is vertical (it's easier to watch on your phone, as you can tilt it sideways) and I'm not very technical so I'd appreciate it if anyone can make it horizontal, or maybe there's a better video on youtube that I haven't seen. None of the incidents in the game against Stoke got any coverage, because we won the game in the late stages and their player was sent off, so it looks like nothing untoward happened. However the ref cheated us for 90 minutes.
 
Their disallowed goal on 2mins 40secs, their pen on 4mins 20 secs, and their red card on 11mins 50 secs.
 
 
 

This is the game that first alerted me to Taylor's bias against us, and it was 5 and a half years ago. We were playing Stoke away, under Conte ironically, and we were kicked off the park for 90 minutes, and the ref did nothing, I remember watching in incredulity. The ref just let them do what they want. As you'll see, right at the end, their player gets a second yellow and a red card, but this was with mere seconds remaining, we'd won the game, and as the commentator says, that was the fourth yellow card tackle the defender had committed. 
 
What really stuck out was Stoke's two goals, one disallowed and the other a pen which was awarded to them. We go 1-0 up and Stoke equalise but the linesman disallows it for an obvious push on Matic which Taylor "misses". Not content, Taylor runs over to the linesman to seek clarification, something you very rarely see. The linesman explains what happened and the goal's disallowed. Not content, minutes later, Taylor awards Stoke a pen, that none of their players claimed for. This time he sees a push. Watch it yourself. It's the merest of touches, and look at Taylor's position, he's miles away.
 
I remember thinking at the time, this ref's a cheat.
 
A couple of months later, in the FA Cup final, Taylor awarded Arsenal a goal when it was a clear handball in the build-up, right in front of him. Not only that however, they have a player in an offside position who's clearly interfering with play, so much so that Courtois runs towards him thinking he's going to touch the ball. The linesman disallows the goal. What happened? Taylor runs over to the linesman, speaks to him, and gives the goal. You very rarely see a ref run over to the linesman with a view to possibly overruling him but here we see it twice in the space of 10 weeks.
 
For all I know, Taylor didn't officiate any Chelsea games between those two matches, so in all likelihood that's two consecutive matches where the linesman has disallowed a goal against us for clear infringements and Taylor has run over to him with a view of overruling his linesman. These are the things that get missed. People highlight the spectacular errors he makes against us, as they should, but the fact decisions in our favour are under far more scrutiny from him should also be highlighted.
 
Yesterday was incredible. He saw the hair-pulling. It was right in front of him. He was looking straight at it. He was five yards away, if that. It's a straight red. It's an easy decision. Instead he consults his VAR official who happens to be Mike Dean. What could possibly go wrong?
 
I know people might think this is paranoid or conspiratorial but in the case of Taylor it's open and shut. Since Liverpool away last season where he sent off Reece he's been much fairer in our games because he knows he's been called out, but yesterday he reverted to type and I think there's too much suspicion around him for him to be allowed to ref our games. He becomes the focus rather than the game, all trust has been eroded, and I think the authorities need to keep him well away from us from now on. Of course he can still influence our fate by refereeing our rivals and giving them favourable decisions but that's completely out of our hands. Liverpool and Utd particularly seem to do well out of him. It's in our hands to highlight his bias against us. Don't stop until something gets done.
 
Videos like the below need to be shared far and wide and I applaud any campaign that seeks to get him banned from our games. Enough is enough. Unfortunately the video is vertical (it's easier to watch on your phone, as you can tilt it sideways) and I'm not very technical so I'd appreciate it if anyone can make it horizontal, or maybe there's a better video on youtube that I haven't seen. None of the incidents in the game against Stoke got any coverage, because we won the game in the late stages and their player was sent off, so it looks like nothing untoward happened. However the ref cheated us for 90 minutes.
 
Their disallowed goal on 2mins 40secs, their pen on 4mins 20 secs, and their red card on 11mins 50 secs.
 
 
 

This is the game that first alerted me to Taylor's bias against us, and it was 5 and a half years ago. We were playing Stoke away, under Conte ironically, and we were kicked off the park for 90 minutes, and the ref did nothing, I remember watching in incredulity. The ref just let them do what they want. As you'll see, right at the end, their player gets a second yellow and a red card, but this was with mere seconds remaining, we'd won the game, and as the commentator says, that was the fourth yellow card tackle the defender had committed. 
 
What really stuck out was Stoke's two goals, one disallowed and the other a pen which was awarded to them. We go 1-0 up and Stoke equalise but the linesman disallows it for an obvious push on Matic which Taylor "misses". Not content, Taylor runs over to the linesman to seek clarification, something you very rarely see. The linesman explains what happened and the goal's disallowed. Not content, minutes later, Taylor awards Stoke a pen, that none of their players claimed for. This time he sees a push. Watch it yourself. It's the merest of touches, and look at Taylor's position, he's miles away.
 
I remember thinking at the time, this ref's a cheat.
 
A couple of months later, in the FA Cup final, Taylor awarded Arsenal a goal when it was a clear handball in the build-up, right in front of him. Not only that however, they have a player in an offside position who's clearly interfering with play, so much so that Courtois runs towards him thinking he's going to touch the ball. The linesman disallows the goal. What happened? Taylor runs over to the linesman, speaks to him, and gives the goal. You very rarely see a ref run over to the linesman with a view to possibly overruling him but here we see it twice in the space of 10 weeks.
 
For all I know, Taylor didn't officiate any Chelsea games between those two matches, so in all likelihood that's two consecutive matches where the linesman has disallowed a goal against us for clear infringements and Taylor has run over to him with a view of overruling his linesman. These are the things that get missed. People highlight the spectacular errors he makes against us, as they should, but the fact decisions in our favour are under far more scrutiny from him should also be highlighted.
 
Yesterday was incredible. He saw the hair-pulling. It was right in front of him. He was looking straight at it. He was five yards away, if that. It's a straight red. It's an easy decision. Instead he consults his VAR official who happens to be Mike Dean. What could possibly go wrong?
 
I know people might think this is paranoid or conspiratorial but in the case of Taylor it's open and shut. Since Liverpool away last season where he sent off Reece he's been much fairer in our games because he knows he's been called out, but yesterday he reverted to type and I think there's too much suspicion around him for him to be allowed to ref our games. He becomes the focus rather than the game, all trust has been eroded, and I think the authorities need to keep him well away from us from now on. Of course he can still influence our fate by refereeing our rivals and giving them favourable decisions but that's completely out of our hands. Liverpool and Utd particularly seem to do well out of him. It's in our hands to highlight his bias against us. Don't stop until something gets done.
 
Videos like the below need to be shared far and wide and I applaud any campaign that seeks to get him banned from our games. Enough is enough. Unfortunately the video is vertical (it's easier to watch on your phone, as you can tilt it sideways) and I'm not very technical so I'd appreciate it if anyone can make it horizontal, or maybe there's a better video on youtube that I haven't seen. None of the incidents in the game against Stoke got any coverage, because we won the game in the late stages and their player was sent off, so it looks like nothing untoward happened. However the ref cheated us for 90 minutes.
 
Their disallowed goal on 2mins 40secs, their pen on 4mins 20 secs, and their red card on 11mins 50 secs.
 
 
 

This is the game that first alerted me to Taylor's bias against us, and it was 5 and a half years ago. We were playing Stoke away, under Conte ironically, and we were kicked off the park for 90 minutes, and the ref did nothing, I remember watching in incredulity. The ref just let them do what they want. As you'll see, right at the end, their player gets a second yellow and a red card, but this was with mere seconds remaining, we'd won the game, and as the commentator says, that was the fourth yellow card tackle the defender had committed. 
 
What really stuck out was Stoke's two goals, one disallowed and the other a pen which was awarded to them. We go 1-0 up and Stoke equalise but the linesman disallows it for an obvious push on Matic which Taylor "misses". Not content, Taylor runs over to the linesman to seek clarification, something you very rarely see. The linesman explains what happened and the goal's disallowed. Not content, minutes later, Taylor awards Stoke a pen, that none of their players claimed for. This time he sees a push. Watch it yourself. It's the merest of touches, and look at Taylor's position, he's miles away.
 
I remember thinking at the time, this ref's a cheat.
 
A couple of months later, in the FA Cup final, Taylor awarded Arsenal a goal when it was a clear handball in the build-up, right in front of him. Not only that however, they have a player in an offside position who's clearly interfering with play, so much so that Courtois runs towards him thinking he's going to touch the ball. The linesman disallows the goal. What happened? Taylor runs over to the linesman, speaks to him, and gives the goal. You very rarely see a ref run over to the linesman with a view to possibly overruling him but here we see it twice in the space of 10 weeks.
 
For all I know, Taylor didn't officiate any Chelsea games between those two matches, so in all likelihood that's two consecutive matches where the linesman has disallowed a goal against us for clear infringements and Taylor has run over to him with a view of overruling his linesman. These are the things that get missed. People highlight the spectacular errors he makes against us, as they should, but the fact decisions in our favour are under far more scrutiny from him should also be highlighted.
 
Yesterday was incredible. He saw the hair-pulling. It was right in front of him. He was looking straight at it. He was five yards away, if that. It's a straight red. It's an easy decision. Instead he consults his VAR official who happens to be Mike Dean. What could possibly go wrong?
 
I know people might think this is paranoid or conspiratorial but in the case of Taylor it's open and shut. Since Liverpool away last season where he sent off Reece he's been much fairer in our games because he knows he's been called out, but yesterday he reverted to type and I think there's too much suspicion around him for him to be allowed to ref our games. He becomes the focus rather than the game, all trust has been eroded, and I think the authorities need to keep him well away from us from now on. Of course he can still influence our fate by refereeing our rivals and giving them favourable decisions but that's completely out of our hands. Liverpool and Utd particularly seem to do well out of him. It's in our hands to highlight his bias against us. Don't stop until something gets done.
 
Videos like the below need to be shared far and wide and I applaud any campaign that seeks to get him banned from our games. Enough is enough. Unfortunately the video is vertical (it's easier to watch on your phone, as you can tilt it sideways) and I'm not very technical so I'd appreciate it if anyone can make it horizontal, or maybe there's a better video on youtube that I haven't seen. None of the incidents in the game against Stoke got any coverage, because we won the game in the late stages and their player was sent off, so it looks like nothing untoward happened. However the ref cheated us for 90 minutes.
 
Their disallowed goal on 2mins 40secs, their pen on 4mins 20 secs, and their red card on 11mins 50 secs.
 
 
 

This is the game that first alerted me to Taylor's bias against us, and it was 5 and a half years ago. We were playing Stoke away, under Conte ironically, and we were kicked off the park for 90 minutes, and the ref did nothing, I remember watching in incredulity. The ref just let them do what they want. As you'll see, right at the end, their player gets a second yellow and a red card, but this was with mere seconds remaining, we'd won the game, and as the commentator says, that was the fourth yellow card tackle the defender had committed. 
 
What really stuck out was Stoke's two goals, one disallowed and the other a pen which was awarded to them. We go 1-0 up and Stoke equalise but the linesman disallows it for an obvious push on Matic which Taylor "misses". Not content, Taylor runs over to the linesman to seek clarification, something you very rarely see. The linesman explains what happened and the goal's disallowed. Not content, minutes later, Taylor awards Stoke a pen, that none of their players claimed for. This time he sees a push. Watch it yourself. It's the merest of touches, and look at Taylor's position, he's miles away.
 
I remember thinking at the time, this ref's a cheat.
 
A couple of months later, in the FA Cup final, Taylor awarded Arsenal a goal when it was a clear handball in the build-up, right in front of him. Not only that however, they have a player in an offside position who's clearly interfering with play, so much so that Courtois runs towards him thinking he's going to touch the ball. The linesman disallows the goal. What happened? Taylor runs over to the linesman, speaks to him, and gives the goal. You very rarely see a ref run over to the linesman with a view to possibly overruling him but here we see it twice in the space of 10 weeks.
 
For all I know, Taylor didn't officiate any Chelsea games between those two matches, so in all likelihood that's two consecutive matches where the linesman has disallowed a goal against us for clear infringements and Taylor has run over to him with a view of overruling his linesman. These are the things that get missed. People highlight the spectacular errors he makes against us, as they should, but the fact decisions in our favour are under far more scrutiny from him should also be highlighted.
 
Yesterday was incredible. He saw the hair-pulling. It was right in front of him. He was looking straight at it. He was five yards away, if that. It's a straight red. It's an easy decision. Instead he consults his VAR official who happens to be Mike Dean. What could possibly go wrong?
 
I know people might think this is paranoid or conspiratorial but in the case of Taylor it's open and shut. Since Liverpool away last season where he sent off Reece he's been much fairer in our games because he knows he's been called out, but yesterday he reverted to type and I think there's too much suspicion around him for him to be allowed to ref our games. He becomes the focus rather than the game, all trust has been eroded, and I think the authorities need to keep him well away from us from now on. Of course he can still influence our fate by refereeing our rivals and giving them favourable decisions but that's completely out of our hands. Liverpool and Utd particularly seem to do well out of him. It's in our hands to highlight his bias against us. Don't stop until something gets done.
 
Videos like the below need to be shared far and wide and I applaud any campaign that seeks to get him banned from our games. Enough is enough. Unfortunately the video is vertical (it's easier to watch on your phone, as you can tilt it sideways) and I'm not very technical so I'd appreciate it if anyone can make it horizontal, or maybe there's a better video on youtube that I haven't seen. None of the incidents in the game against Stoke got any coverage, because we won the game in the late stages and their player was sent off, so it looks like nothing untoward happened. However the ref cheated us for 90 minutes.
 
Their disallowed goal on 2mins 40secs, their pen on 4mins 20 secs, and their red card on 11mins 50 secs.
 
 
 

This is the game that first alerted me to Taylor's bias against us, and it was 5 and a half years ago. We were playing Stoke away, under Conte ironically, and we were kicked off the park for 90 minutes, and the ref did nothing, I remember watching in incredulity. The ref just let them do what they want. As you'll see, right at the end, their player gets a second yellow and a red card, but this was with mere seconds remaining, we'd won the game, and as the commentator says, that was the fourth yellow card tackle the defender had committed. 
 
What really stuck out was Stoke's two goals, one disallowed and the other a pen which was awarded to them. We go 1-0 up and Stoke equalise but the linesman disallows it for an obvious push on Matic which Taylor "misses". Not content, Taylor runs over to the linesman to seek clarification, something you very rarely see. The linesman explains what happened and the goal's disallowed. Not content, minutes later, Taylor awards Stoke a pen, that none of their players claimed for. This time he sees a push. Watch it yourself. It's the merest of touches, and look at Taylor's position, he's miles away.
 
I remember thinking at the time, this ref's a cheat.
 
A couple of months later, in the FA Cup final, Taylor awarded Arsenal a goal when it was a clear handball in the build-up, right in front of him. Not only that however, they have a player in an offside position who's clearly interfering with play, so much so that Courtois runs towards him thinking he's going to touch the ball. The linesman disallows the goal. What happened? Taylor runs over to the linesman, speaks to him, and gives the goal. You very rarely see a ref run over to the linesman with a view to possibly overruling him but here we see it twice in the space of 10 weeks.
 
For all I know, Taylor didn't officiate any Chelsea games between those two matches, so in all likelihood that's two consecutive matches where the linesman has disallowed a goal against us for clear infringements and Taylor has run over to him with a view of overruling his linesman. These are the things that get missed. People highlight the spectacular errors he makes against us, as they should, but the fact decisions in our favour are under far more scrutiny from him should also be highlighted.
 
Yesterday was incredible. He saw the hair-pulling. It was right in front of him. He was looking straight at it. He was five yards away, if that. It's a straight red. It's an easy decision. Instead he consults his VAR official who happens to be Mike Dean. What could possibly go wrong?
 
I know people might think this is paranoid or conspiratorial but in the case of Taylor it's open and shut. Since Liverpool away last season where he sent off Reece he's been much fairer in our games because he knows he's been called out, but yesterday he reverted to type and I think there's too much suspicion around him for him to be allowed to ref our games. He becomes the focus rather than the game, all trust has been eroded, and I think the authorities need to keep him well away from us from now on. Of course he can still influence our fate by refereeing our rivals and giving them favourable decisions but that's completely out of our hands. Liverpool and Utd particularly seem to do well out of him. It's in our hands to highlight his bias against us. Don't stop until something gets done.
 
Videos like the below need to be shared far and wide and I applaud any campaign that seeks to get him banned from our games. Enough is enough. Unfortunately the video is vertical (it's easier to watch on your phone, as you can tilt it sideways) and I'm not very technical so I'd appreciate it if anyone can make it horizontal, or maybe there's a better video on youtube that I haven't seen. None of the incidents in the game against Stoke got any coverage, because we won the game in the late stages and their player was sent off, so it looks like nothing untoward happened. However the ref cheated us for 90 minutes.
 
Their disallowed goal on 2mins 40secs, their pen on 4mins 20 secs, and their red card on 11mins 50 secs.
 
 
 

Last season Nevin was trying to tell us Jorginho was the reincarnation of Eusebio and he couldn't understand why anybody would dare criticise him. Now he's not good enough for Bayern. Did Nevin mention the manager last night, out of interest, because unless he did, his views on our personnel might be taken with a pinch of salt. We were outnumbered in midfield all night, and Frank did nothing to change it. In fact, Frank's reading of the game, from a tactical point of view, and his ability to remedy problems in the middle of games, has been wanting a lot this season.
 
For me, Kovacic and Jorginho shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath. Kovacic is way superior, and I think most people on these boards realise this, yourself included. As @Spiller86 keeps telling us, we don't play patterned movements, as Bayern do. Kovacic has easily enough class to get into Bayern's side because he has the raw minerals. The way Bayern play, that doesn't happen by accident, that happens on the training field, day after day. Sure, great players, but last night we saw a team that are in tune with each other, that are part of a cohesive structure. Nevin's analysis is too simplistic, IMO. Kovacic is class but he's not playing in that sort of team and he doesn't have that sort of quality around him.
 
Regarding Essien, who you mention a lot, he played in our greatest-ever midfield, alongside Maka and Lamps. We're unlikely to ever have anything better, but for all Essien's great strengths, and there were many, there's also a caveat. He was injury prone. He doesn't sit alongside the PL greats, simply because he didn't do it often enough, over a sustained period. Not his fault maybe but that's the facts. You talk about Drogba a lot and he was a great. Essien could have been a great but for injuries.
 
My point? Well, you put Kovacic alongside Maka and Lamps, and all the other great players we had in that side, and you'd still be talking about him today. That was an infinitely better side, and we had the best coach in town. Comparisons are all very well, but let's put things in context. Different player to Essien of course with completely different attributes but you put him in that side instead of Essien, alongside the best DM the world has ever seen and the best goalscoring midfielder the world has ever seen, and we'd still be talking about the class act playing alongside them, making us more fluid and silkier, linking everything together.
 
Kovacic is our best player. I have high hopes for some of our youngsters but right now he's the one playing at the highest level, and it's been that way all season, and he's easily good enough for the top sides. Put him in that Bayern side and I have a feeling Nevin would be waxing lyrical about him. That's my view.

Well, Frank gave him a fair old run in the side, far too long for my liking, but I think that'll be the end of him now. Two clean sheets in two games without him. We're not keeping those clean sheets with him in the side. He's had enough chances for me. He'd be the first one I ship out this summer.

Well, Frank gave him a fair old run in the side, far too long for my liking, but I think that'll be the end of him now. Two clean sheets in two games without him. We're not keeping those clean sheets with him in the side. He's had enough chances for me. He'd be the first one I ship out this summer.

Frank has struggled to find his best XI. He seems to be stumbling upon it. Two clean sheets in a row. We might even see a settled back four, at least until the summer when we hopefully buy upgrades. Midfield, well injuries forced FRank's hand, and it worked in our favour. Billy instead of Jorgi. Far better in my opinion. Two number 8s, in Mason and Ross, and that gave us more creativity and attacking edge at home against a weaker side, and the forgotten man up front, brought in from the cold, been absolutely brilliant.
 
Edit: Well done Frank, particularly for giving Gilmour his chance. 

Frank has struggled to find his best XI. He seems to be stumbling upon it. Two clean sheets in a row. We might even see a settled back four, at least until the summer when we hopefully buy upgrades. Midfield, well injuries forced FRank's hand, and it worked in our favour. Billy instead of Jorgi. Far better in my opinion. Two number 8s, in Mason and Ross, and that gave us more creativity and attacking edge at home against a weaker side, and the forgotten man up front, brought in from the cold, been absolutely brilliant.
 
Edit: Well done Frank, particularly for giving Gilmour his chance. 

You can't fault his work rate but there's precious little quality, in my opinion.

Well, Frank gave him a fair old run in the side, far too long for my liking, but I think that'll be the end of him now. Two clean sheets in two games without him. We're not keeping those clean sheets with him in the side. He's had enough chances for me. He'd be the first one I ship out this summer.

Frank has struggled to find his best XI. He seems to be stumbling upon it. Two clean sheets in a row. We might even see a settled back four, at least until the summer when we hopefully buy upgrades. Midfield, well injuries forced FRank's hand, and it worked in our favour. Billy instead of Jorgi. Far better in my opinion. Two number 8s, in Mason and Ross, and that gave us more creativity and attacking edge at home against a weaker side, and the forgotten man up front, brought in from the cold, been absolutely brilliant.
 
Edit: Well done Frank, particularly for giving Gilmour his chance. 

Pretty much a perfect day. 4-0 and minutes for youngsters.  Back to the lethal counter attacking and we battered them and kept a clean sheet.
Credit to Frank for playing Billy today. Managers past would have tried to shoehorn Christensen into midfield or some other such rubbish. He repaid the faith. Who needs Jorginho?
Credit also for sticking with the defenders from Wednesday. We dominated them physically.
Giroud and Pedro were also superb. When the big moments arrive, much like Sarri last year, Frank has found that they turn up. Pedro covered every blade just like on Tuesday and was in lots of our good work. 
This really is old Chelsea isn't it? Inconsistent as hell, frustrating some days but when we get it right great fun to watch.
Shame that United won but if we keep this up we can go around Leicester and guarantee top four I reckon. More work to do though

My plans were to be there on Sunday, my 60th birthday to cheer on the boys but alas it did not work out.  Instead we're taking a cheeky 3 day trip to mexico for a little sun and fun. It pains my heart to miss a chance to see the Chels but, well, life happens. Come on you Blues!
 
 

I pray he keeps his spot. As you say, fully deserved to be dropped, he's had an awful season, but he's a talent. Today he showed good character. We couldn't have asked for more. Our first clean sheet in about 60 years. This will give him confidence. He can still be a big player for us this season. He's fighting for his Chelsea career. Tonight he looked up for the fight. 

I pray he keeps his spot. As you say, fully deserved to be dropped, he's had an awful season, but he's a talent. Today he showed good character. We couldn't have asked for more. Our first clean sheet in about 60 years. This will give him confidence. He can still be a big player for us this season. He's fighting for his Chelsea career. Tonight he looked up for the fight. 

I pray he keeps his spot. As you say, fully deserved to be dropped, he's had an awful season, but he's a talent. Today he showed good character. We couldn't have asked for more. Our first clean sheet in about 60 years. This will give him confidence. He can still be a big player for us this season. He's fighting for his Chelsea career. Tonight he looked up for the fight. 

That was like Pat Nevins pen V Man City!!

I would happily sacrifice playing out of the back if it meant we wouldn't concede a goal from a set piece every game. We are probably more likely to concede a goal from set pieces than a stray pass from one of the CB's.

He will always have brain fart moments in him, but for the rest of the season, he has to be first choice because of his physical presense. It can't be underestimated how impotant it is to have that strength at the back. I also think Tomori and Rudiger need a player like Zouma to play alongside too. 
We need much more next season though, we are desperate for a dominating CB that isn't going to make mistakes that could lead to a goal every game.

Looks like Jorginho's got competition.