Why Chelsea's Malo Gusto wasn't sent off against Fulham

It's safe to say that Anthony Taylor is not a popular figure among Chelsea's fanbase.

A petition launched last season demanding the Wythenshawe-born official be banned from refereeing any Chelsea match has accrued more than 160,000 signatures. However, Taylor may have softened some of the scorn seeping out of the blue half of west London with a controversial decision that benefitted Chelsea when Fulham travelled to Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime.

Blues full-back Malo Gusto launched into a meaty challenge on Willian in the first half of the Premier League contest, leaving the former Chelsea favourite writhing on the turf in agony.

Taylor only produced a yellow card, avoiding any more ire from Chelsea fans but prompting some raised eyebrows from other onlookers.

Why wasn't Chelsea's Malo Gusto sent off against Fulham?

Tom Cairney was quick to close Gusto down in the 38th minute. The 20-year-old wrestled his way past Fulham's skipper but Willian was diligently following up. In a desperate bid to retain possession, Gusto flung out his boot, grazing the ball with his studs before sinking them into Willian's shin.

Law 12 in the FA handbook lists "serious foul play" - which is described as "a tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality" - as a sending-off offence. A foul is worthy of just a yellow card if it is deemed "reckless" rather than "excessive".

As with many of the rules in this sport, red cards are often a subjective call. Taylor only had the benefit of one look in real time to make his decision but Michael Salisbury in the VAR booth inspected multiple replays.

TNT Sports presenter Lynsey Hipgrave, who is in dialogue with a production team that has access to the in-game deliberations made by the video assistant referees at Stockley Park, revealed: "VAR felt it was more of a reckless followthrough, more on the foot than the ankle." With that conclusion, a yellow card was the right call.

Reaction to Malo Gusto's challenge on Willian

Gusto had a challenge against Aston Villa controversially upgraded from a yellow card to a red after a VAR review back in September. Villa striker Ollie Watkins admitted that he was unsure if Gusto's tackle that day warranted such severe punishment but the general public seemed to all agree that the full-back was fortunate to stay on the pitch against Fulham.

Fulham manager Marco Silva has launched numerous stinging tirades against the Premier League's fleet of officials this season. No doubt the non-decision Gusto benefitted from will be another added to his list of gripes but Silva will not be the only one questioning Saturday's referee.

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