Anthony Taylor, Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest
Keith Hackett
Sun 25 May 2025 18:10, UK
Anthony Taylor has received full backing from a PGMOL insider after a heated incident between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the referee was in a brilliant position to view Elliot Anderson’s challenge on Noni Madueke on Sunday, 25 May, and was right not to send him off.
With Champions League qualification riding on the result for both teams, a red card would have changed the game completely, so it was a relief for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to only see a yellow card shown.
While officials are often under pressure, especially when VAR is involved, Taylor has been hailed recently by Hackett after not falling for Eddie Nketiah’s dive in Crystal Palace versus Brighton last month.
Elliot Anderson was booked for a high challenge on Noni Madueke (Credit Grant Winter)
Champions League football on the line for Nottingham Forest and Chelsea
Man City, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa were all still fighting for a top-five spot, but with the latter facing a sending-off for Emi Martinez, the race for Europe opened up immensely at the City Ground.
Pedro Neto and Chris Wood shared clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes, but neither side could find the back of the net, with Anderson’s foul the main talking point of the first half.
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Levi Colwill’s opener, just five minutes into the second half, certainly blew all the wind out of the Reds’ sails in the 1-0 defeat, but it has been an incredible season for Espirito Santo’s side, nonetheless.
Nottingham Forest have thrived under Nuno Espirito Santo. (Credit: Imago)
Elliot Anderson avoids major sending-off against Chelsea
Taylor has a chequered history with Chelsea but has more recently come under pressure from Forest fans as well, making his appointment for such a crucial meeting between the two a big decision, but Hackett backed his management of a key first-half incident.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said:
“Referee Anthony Taylor was in a very good position, holding his gaze to detect and sanction the challenge.
“It could easily have gone from a yellow to a red, but the challenge was deemed to lack any malice.
“Yellow card was the correct decision.”
The Reds were forced to settle for a spot in the Europa Conference League next season, but it remains a brilliant season at the City Ground despite missing out on the Champions League to Chelsea.
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