Credit: Imago
Credit: Imago

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea ref watch: Three decisions Chris Kavanagh got wrong

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Chris Kavanagh's name was on the tip of many supporters' tongues as Nottingham Forest lost 3-0 to Chelsea at the City Ground.

Red flags have been raised over Kavanagh multiple times so far this season, having been at the very centre of mistakes in recent Premier League clashes.

He was involved as Yerson Mosquera avoided a red card against Newcastle United, while also officiating at Craven Cottage during the dramatic 1-1 draw between Fulham and Man United in August.

Howard Webb has now been left with some difficult decisions to make after watching Kavanagh in action during the Reds' 2-0 loss to Chelsea at the City Ground on Saturday, 18 October.

Chris Kavanagh was in the spotlight again. (Credit: Getty Images)
Chris Kavanagh was in the spotlight again. (Credit: Getty Images)

Morato avoids punishment for clear shirt tug

In the opening 10 minutes, Morato should have been shown the yellow card for a clear pull-back on his opposition, an incident which Kavanagh spotted and awarded a free-kick.

Just four minutes before the half-time whistle, the centre-back finally went into the book for a silly foul on Joao Pedro, and had he already been booked, he might have been handed his marching orders instead.

Chris Kavanagh falls for Chelsea's dark arts

Enzo Maresca will likely admit that the first half was a very poor showing from his team, but within seven minutes of the second half starting, they were two goals ahead.

The manager clearly made his feelings known during the half-time break, but one constant throughout the 90 minutes was Maresca's players throwing themselves to the ground under very little pressure.

Enzo Maresca smiles as he arrives at Stamford Bridge in a Chelsea jacket
Enzo Maresca's players were accused of playing the referee. (Credit: Imago)

Kavanagh allowed it to continue at the City Ground, and for those in attendance, it made for a very frustrating game of football, with play often stopped when the referee could have played on.

Malo Gusto sent off at the City Ground

While there is no argument for his second yellow, bringing Neco Williams down as the full-back attacked in the final moments, some might suggest that he was unlucky to be on a caution to start with.

He was carded after just 54 minutes for a foul on Nikola Milenkovic, but it was clear that the Forest defender made the very most of the incident to get his opposition booked.

For sure, it was a stupid decision by the full-back at 3-0 up with just a few minutes left, but Gusto may feel hard done by following Kavanagh's decision at the City Ground.

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