Mauricio Pochettino refers to Coldplay’s song to concentrate on the media problems in Chelsea’s press conferences. (1:26)
Chelsea broke the record for most yellow cards won by a team in a single Premier League season in their 2-1 win over Brighton on Wednesday, boosting their chances of qualifying for European football next season.
Raheem Sterling earned Chelsea-record 102nd yellow card for a foul on Valentin Barco in the 77th minute before captain Reece James won a direct foul for Brighton’s João Pedro being sent off.
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Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo was also cautioned for a foul attack at the American Express Stadium, bringing the team’s total to 103 with one game to play.
The figure surpasses the previous record (101) set by Leeds United in the 2021-22 season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s young Chelsea have struggled to hold the pitch in what has been a difficult crusade for the west London club, but a run of four straight wins has lifted spirits at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have played just two games with a player cautioned this season (6 December against Manchester United and 2 May against Tottenham) and have earned multiple yellow cards in 30 of their 37 games this season.
The maximum yellow cards they have shown in a single game are the six they accumulated against Wolves on December 24, 2023, and they have played seven games in which they have won at least five.
Caicedo, who joined the club on a 115 million pound ($144. 7 million) contract last summer, has been the top reserve, and the midfielder has been included in the referees’ e-book 11 times.
However, six players have been cautioned more than the Chelsea player this season, and Fulham midfielder João Palhinha tops the list with thirteen yellow cards.
Only 4 players have received 14 yellow cards in a Premier League season since 2008-09: Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United in 2010-11), Lee Cattermole (Sunderland in 2014-15), Jose Holebas (Watford in 2016-17). , Étienne Capoue (Watford in 2018-19) and Palhinha (Fulham in 2022-23).
Chelsea, who have also received 4 red cards this season, can still see their new record surpassed thanks to Wolves, who have received 99 yellow cards so far.
The only club in Europe’s five most sensible leagues to have earned more yellow cards than Chelsea is LaLiga side Getafe, who have won 121 in 36 league games.
Chelsea will face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in the final round of the Premier League season.