The German’s dive didn’t go down well on social media
Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz was criticised after he was booked for diving against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.
The German started up front for Thomas Tuchel’s side at Wembley, with £97million man Romelu Lukaku on the bench after recovering from a heel injury.
Towards the end of the first half, the former Bayer Leverkusen player found himself at the centre of controversy in Palace’s box.
Havertz made a run into the Eagles’ penalty area, before centre-back Marc Guehi came in to defend the attack.
The Chelsea forward fell to the ground as the Blues appealed for a penalty. However, referee Anthony Taylor saw things differently as Guehi protested his innocence.
The 22-year-old received a booking for the dive, with footage showing that the English defender made no contact with the Chelsea man.
How did social media react?
Former top-flight referee Keith Hackett wrote: “Well done Anthony Taylor for Issuing a yellow card to Chelsea’s Havertz. It was a blatant dive in an effort to win a penalty kick. Taylor was in an excellent position. I hope that his colleagues are watching.”
Well done Anthony Taylor for Issuing a yellow card to Chelsea’s Havertz. It was a blatant dive in an effort to win a penalty kick. Taylor was in an excellent position. I hope that his colleagues are watching.
— KEITH HACKETT (@HACKETTREF) April 17, 2022
Another Twitter user added: “Well done Anthony Taylor. Saw the dive, took a second to compose himself and called it it and issued the yellow for Havertz.”
Well done Anthony Taylor. Saw the dive, took a second to compose himself and called it it and issued the yellow for Havertz.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) April 17, 2022
A third wrote: “Horrible dive by Havertz. Should be embarrassed. He’s a top player, no need for him to dive.”
Horrible dive by Havertz. Should be embarrassed.
He’s a top player, no need for him to dive.
— Jess (@JessamineH10) April 17, 2022
Another person said: “Don’t want to hear any Chelsea fan saying anything about Salah going down easy. Havertz is a complete cheat. That was a dive. Cheating. Horrendous.”
Don’t want to hear any Chelsea fan saying anything about Salah going down easy. Havertz is a complete cheat. That was a dive. Cheating. Horrendous.
— Dave Kaká (@WhistleBlowerDK) April 17, 2022
A fifth person stated: “Diving punishments need changing. A blatent dive like that should be a red, not a yellow. Disgusting from Havertz and embarrassing.”
Diving punishments need changing. A blatent dive like that should be a red, not a yellow. Disgusting from Havertz and embarrassing. @FA #FACup #FACupSemiFinal #CHECRY
— Alex Oldham (@alexanderoldham) April 17, 2022
Chelsea opened the scoring against Crystal Palace through Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s wonderful strike in the 65th minute, before Mason Mount added a second to secure the Blues’ spot in the FA Cup final against Liverpool.
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