Since all referees have been under intense scrutiny this season, you can only understand Michael Salisbury’s horror when he unintentionally displayed the incorrect color card at Stamford Bridge.

Referee Michael Salisbury of the Premier League burst out laughing as he unintentionally gave Crystal Palace star Chris Richards a red card.

At the moment, Chelsea, who was looking for a late winner, had Roy Hodgson’s team under siege. Assisted by Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja, Noni Madueke spearheaded a risky counterattack for the Blues in the last fifteen minutes of normal time.

Richards chopped Madueke down before he could feed either of Mauricio Pochettino’s strikers. The Palace ace was waiting for his anticipated yellow card when he was startled to see a red emerge from Salisbury’s pocket—unfortunately, the referee mishandled the color.

As soon as everyone in Stamford Bridge gasped, Salisbury realized what he had done wrong. He held out his hand sheepishly, then embarrassingly put the red card back in his pocket and took out the yellow one.

After then, Salisbury found it difficult to contain his laughter. Given how close the game was at the moment, Roy Hodgson would have been concerned when he saw the flash of red.

In the first half, Chelsea took the lead thanks to a powerful shot from Mykhailo Mudryk, who met Malo Gusto’s low cross. At the end of the half, Michael Olise smashed home a flawless equalizer to quiet the Bridge.

Eberechi Eze launched himself into a challenge and brought Noni Madueke down in the penalty area, setting up a goal that put Salisbury in the driving seat in the 85th minute. He glanced at the VAR monitor, then gestured to the spot, giving the Englishman a chance to win the match.

Madueke said he and his teammates were relieved with the win after his penalty reached the bottom corner. In his post-match interview, he stated, “It was a difficult game.” “Credit to Crystal Palace; they put up some excellent performances and were challenging to stop. But we also deserve credit for that.

“The penalty was a stonewall. In the cup, I had already scored once, and I felt secure in my technique [because Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling were not there to take usual penalties]. Your desire to play is constant. When you exit the bench, you want to be able to have the same effect that I had today.”