Chelsea become the third club to reach unwanted Premier League milestone
Chelsea have reached an unwanted Premier League milestone after becoming only the third club in the competition’s history to receive 100 red cards, following Cole Palmer’s first dismissal of his senior career in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.
The Blues endured a miserable and wet evening at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Mathys Tel and a Mike Penders own goal condemning Xabi Alonso’s side to defeat in a feisty London derby.
However, Palmer’s sending-off added further frustration to an already disappointing night for the hosts, who have now joined two clubs in reaching a century of Premier League dismissals. Can you guess which clubs came before Chelsea reached a century?
| Player | Number of red cards |
|---|---|
| John Terry | 6 |
| Frank Leboeuf | 5 |
| Dennis Wise | 4 |
| Reece James, Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard and Frank Sinclair | 3 |
The England international received his first yellow card in the 70th minute following an altercation with Mateus Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder, who was the star for Spurs, handled the ball while on the ground to prevent a breakaway, Palmer pushed his midriff into Fernandes’ face, prompting referee Chris Kavanagh to book the Chelsea forward.
Things went from bad to worse ten minutes later when Palmer arrived late to a challenge on Conor Gallagher, catching the Tottenham midfielder with his studs on the leg. The referee showed no hesitation in producing a second yellow card, reducing Chelsea to ten men.
The dismissal was a significant moment in the game, leaving Chelsea with little time to recover and adding to the frustration of their supporters.
The milestone
Chelsea have now received 100 Premier League red cards, with only Everton, with 113, and Arsenal, with 110, have received more dismissals in the competition’s history. Newcastle will likely be next as they sit on 96 cards
You think of Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson as players who would have racked up plenty of red cards, while John Terry holds the record for the most red cards in Chelsea’s Premier League history.
While the milestone highlights an unwanted part of Chelsea’s Premier League record, Palmer’s sending-off was particularly disappointing given his importance to the team. His first red card at senior level also means he will face scrutiny over his discipline following an evening in which Chelsea struggled to make their mark.
For Alonso, the defeat offers plenty to reflect on, with his side’s performance, tactical decisions and disciplinary problems all contributing to a night to forget at Stamford Bridge.
