Hull City manager Steve Bruce called for a clampdown on diving after Gary Cahill escaped punishment for apparent simulation during Premier League leaders Chelsea’s 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.
Referee Chris Foy booked Chelsea duo Willian and Diego Costa for diving during Saturday’s game, but ignored Hull claims that Cahill had dived in the 53rd minute, having earlier been booked for a foul on Sone Aluko.
At that point, Chelsea were leading through Eden Hazard’s early goal and they went on to add a 68th-minute second through Diego Costa after Hull’s Tom Huddlestone had been sent off on the hour for a foul on Filipe Luis.
“I’ve just been asked if Cahill should have gone, and the simple answer is: ‘Yes’. Especially given the referee has booked two people for simulation or diving,” Bruce said. “His first challenge on Aluko could have been a red card. That was reckless and dangerous. You expect the referee to do his job.”
“Consequently, Tom Huddlestone, who is the most laid-back person, is frustrated with the decisions and produced a horror challenge, which deserves a red card,” he said. “But when you come to places like this, you need them to make the right call. Look at the replays and there’s no justification for it. He [Cahill] has taken off thinking [David] Meyler is going to challenge him, looking to win the penalty.”
“Maybe we might not have been good enough to get something, but playing Chelsea with 10 men is a lot easier than playing against their 11,” he added.
“We were in the game up until Huddlestone went off,” he said.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho defended Cahill, although he added to Bruce’s criticism of the referee by questioning Willian’s booking and referring to Foy’s performance in Chelsea’s defeat at Aston Villa last season.
In other Premier League action, it was:
‧ Arsenal 4, Newcastle 1
‧ Burnley 1, Southampton 0
‧ Crystal Palace 1, Stoke 1
‧ Manchester City 1, Leicester 0
‧ Sunderland 1, West Ham 1
‧ West Brom 1, Aston Villa 0
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