After a brief period officiating in the Championship, Anthony Taylor is set to return to Premier League action this weekend.
The referee’s temporary move to the Championship came after a controversial decision in his last Premier League appearance, where he awarded a disputed penalty to Newcastle against Wolves.
Despite facing criticism for the penalty call involving Hwang Hee-chan and Fabian Schar, VAR upheld Taylor’s decision, despite calls for a personal review.
Taylor’s stint in the Championship included overseeing a match between Preston North End and Coventry City, where another contentious penalty decision fueled fan uproar. Social media humorously speculated about Taylor continuing to ‘demote’ to even lower leagues, with users playfully predicting League One or lower.
Taylor’s return to the Premier League contradicts these jests as he is set to officiate a high-profile clash between Manchester City and Chelsea. Chelsea, free from European commitments, aims to capitalize on their form and secure consecutive victories against top-six rivals.
During Taylor’s time in the Championship, his decision to award Preston a penalty faced scrutiny as replays indicated minimal contact.
Despite online banter suggesting further demotions for Taylor, his upcoming Premier League assignment places him back in the spotlight for a significant fixture, contradicting the predictions circulating on social media.
The choice to have Taylor officiate a match of such magnitude, Manchester City versus Chelsea, suggests a confidence in his abilities despite recent controversial decisions.
Chelsea fans will be hopeful that their team’s lack of European obligations provides an opportunity for success against Manchester City in this crucial encounter.
