Premier League refs hit a new low in Chelsea vs Sunderland and other fixtures this weekend

Chelsea fans, like supporters of every Premier League club, will often feel that their team is on the receiving end of an agenda when refereeing decisions go against them.

Poor refereeing performances are increasingly becoming a talking point, and controversial decisions seem to be grabbing the headlines more regularly. We have seen Gabriel's kick out at Emi Martinez go unpunished, while today's penalty decision involving Cole Palmer was another contentious moment that left Chelsea frustrated.

However, it is important to recognise that Chelsea have also benefited from decisions going their way. Palmer's red card against Tottenham arguably should have come much earlier, while there were also several incidents in the Everton game where Chelsea could have seen further red cards.

Ultimately, refereeing inconsistencies are frustrating, but it is difficult to argue that Chelsea are being singled out when they have also had decisions go in their favour.

The two penalty incidents from yesterday’s defeat will certainly divide opinion among Chelsea supporters. The first debate is whether the challenge on Cole Palmer should have been given as a straightforward free-kick, before moving on to whether it continued into the penalty area.

For me, it was a penalty. The challenge carried on into the box and was forceful enough to warrant the decision. For Mr Gillet not to even award a foul in the first place says plenty about the level of officiating we are dealing with.

The other penalty, awarded against Chelsea, is one I can accept. Both players were tussling as they entered the box, with shirts being pulled on either side. However, it was Levi Colwill's contact with the opponent's legs that made the decision a definite penalty for me. It is one to feel aggrieved about, but I cannot really argue with the decision.

Multiple decisions have gone against Premier League sides this matchday and, with VAR available as a safety net, some of these mistakes are frankly inexcusable. In several cases, the officials have spent just seconds reviewing the footage before deciding there was nothing wrong and sticking with the original decision.

While we all want fairness and for the game to maintain its pace, there also needs to be a basic level of accuracy. Right now, we are simply not getting it.

Coventry will feel particularly aggrieved after two decisions went against them on Friday night. Vitaly Mykolenko's challenge on Taiwo Awoniyi would have been considered a stonewall penalty in years gone by, while a closer look at Thierno Barry's second goal shows the ball appearing to brush his hand and change direction.

Another shocker was the decision to award Crystal Palace a penalty. If anything, the foul should have been given the other way. To point to the spot for that incident against Milos Kerkez is criminal.

The final incident cost Aston Villa two points. Senne Lammens quite clearly appeared to target their goalkeeper at a corner, looking directly at him before making contact and fouling him, preventing Zion Suzuki from punching the ball. For the referee to award the winner, only for VAR to decide there was nothing wrong, is enough to make you lose your head for any fan.

There were also contentious incidents involving Arsenal (the offside penalty), Tottenham (a potential red card not given), Bournemouth (a penalty awarded) and Newcastle (a goal). You could argue that some of those decisions could have gone either way, but that only adds to the frustration surrounding the standard of officiating.

Chelsea were not the only victims this weekend to suffer from the pain of refereeing and none impact of VAR.