Chelsea 0-0 Fulham: Talking points as Cottagers return undefeated from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea and Fulham shared the spoils at Stamford Bridge on Friday evening in a highly demanding contest, in which neither side managed to find the back of the opposition net despite a number of chances at both ends of the pitch.

Referees in the Premier League have been allowing a much more physical approach to the game this season compared to a number of previous ones, taking in back practically to the 1970s and 80s, or a certain TV commentator called it, “putting the ‘English’ back into the English game”. Most pundits and a part of the wider public welcome such an approach, not liking the game being frequently stopped for every minor foul. However, this match showed clearly how flawed such an approach can be, with the players likely to end up paying the price.

Arguably the most obvious moment in that aspect came in the first half, when former Chelsea winger Willian tried to keep the ball in his own half and took several hits from behind from Conor Gallagher. Seeing his teammate potentially in trouble with referee Stuart Atwell refusing to blow his whistle, and Gallagher aiming for a more serious scissor-like tackle, Aleksandar Mitrovic ran back full-steam and tackled Gallagher instead. Gallagher’s leg was in danger of breaking in several places under Mitrovic’s powerful frame and the Chelsea midfielder was very lucky it didn’t happen. Atwell still remained silent, not showing bias but showing a complete lack of care for the welfare of the players involved.