Chelsea missed the chance to temporarily go top of the Premier League table yesterday after they were held to a 0-0 draw with Everton.
Enzo Maresca has been insistent that the Blues are not in a title race, and he may well have been proven right after they were unable to break down the Toffees at Goodison Park.
The boss even had to rely on some big performances from some of his defensive players to maintain their clean sheet. Tosin Adarabioyo had his best game in a Chelsea shirt.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton reacts towards Referee Chris Kavanagh after he fouled Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea (not pictured) during the Premie...
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Chelsea fans fuming at referee Chris Kavanagh during Everton draw
As the Blues were chasing a winner late on, they will have been dismayed by what referee Chris Kavanagh did with the seconds ticking away.
A minimum of two minutes of added time was indicated by the official, a figure that is near enough unheard of in the Premier League.
Chelsea fans were not impressed by the lack of time they were given to try and find what would have been a dramatic winner.
One user said: “2 minutes of added time shown, 90th minute hits and someone goes down injured for 30 seconds, when it hits 92 ref blows the whistle right away. All they do is talk about getting rid of time wasting yet this happens every single game and nothing changes.”
2 minutes of added time shown, 90th minute hits and someone goes down injured for 30 seconds, when it hits 92 ref blows the whistle right away.
All they do is talk about getting rid of time wasting yet this happens every single game and nothing changes 🤪
— Daniel Fisher (@danfisherrrr) December 22, 2024
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Another added: “2 minutes of added time bro. Genuine corruption. As usual against us.”
2 minutes of added time bro😭😭😭😭😭
Genuine corruption. As usual against us
— AC (@TakesofAC_) December 22, 2024
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A third stated: “Only 2 mins added time, I guess that makes up for all those times where we are winning & they add 15 mins on.”
Another user claimed: “Everton have literally been time wasting for 45 minutes and the referee did nothing to stop it. Now he’s added 2 minutes of added time. This is why we need referee interviews after games. Explain that.”
Finally, one user said: “2 minutes added time in the 2nd half, the referee blows the whistle a few seconds afterwards. I have an opinion about that game. Go figure.”
Chelsea unhappy with referees this season
Chelsea have been frustrated with the match officials on a number of occasions this season, with them feeling a number of decisions haven’t gone their way.
Maresca has been seen coming onto the pitch to confront referees for their decisions, and will feel like key moments have gone against his side in huge games.
Joe Cole was convinced the Blues should have had a penalty against Liverpool, one of the only two league games they have lost this season.
Mark Halsey also said Cole Palmer was threatened with a ‘career-ending tackle’ during the win over Leicester, which did not see his opponent sent off.