• Premier League

Chelsea-Burnley referee Atkinson 'got decisions right'

Referee Martin Atkinson has reportedly been backed over all of the major decisions he made during Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Burnley by the Premier League delegate assessing his performance.

Former referees boss Keith Hackett said Atkinson's performance was one of the worst ever seen in the Premier League, however, Steve Greaves, who was monitoring Saturday's game, has leant his support to the under-fire official, according to The Sun.

Atkinson was heavily criticised by Jose Mourinho, who highlighted "four moments" that he felt influenced the result of the game before appearing on Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday to launch an extraordinary rant against refereeing standards.

Mourinho was incensed by the sending off of Nemanja Matic, who was dismissed for reacting to what the Chelsea boss labelled a "criminal" challenge made by Ashley Barnes.

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However, Greaves reportedly wrote: "Challenge by Barnes on Matic, nothing given - for me correct.

"In super slow-mo it obviously looks awful, but in real time live and dvd Barnes catches him as follow through from the challenge. (Does Barnes mean harm? - only he knows) Also looks worse because Matic has his foot planted..."

No retrospective action will be taken against Barnes, while Chelsea have appealed for Matic's red card to be rescinded, though Greaves wrote of the dismissal: "Straight red - Matic retaliation, correct."

The Premier League leaders were also denied two potential penalties against Sean Dyche's side, the first of which saw Branislav Ivanovic's shot hit Michael Kightly's arm in Burnley's penalty area.

Greaves said of the incident: "Potential penalty decision - handball against Kightly, not given. In my opinion a correct decision as ball was hit with pace from close range and didn't seem deliberate."

Diego Costa then went down in the area under pressure from Jason Shackell on the stroke of half-time,

While Greaves admitted the incident was a more difficult decision, he once again backed Atkinson, saying: "Potential penalty decision - foul on Costa, not given. (Damned if he gives it, damned if he don't!)

"For me, both in real time and on dvd, my opinion is that Costa is looking to go down as soon as contact is made.

"However, Shackell does put his hands on him so appreciate your thoughts!! Also to note, ref can't actually see Shackell's hands on Costa."

The final incident referred to Barnes making a challenge on Ivanovic while battling for a high ball half an hour in.

Mourinho believes Matic would not have lashed out "if the man in charge does his job in minute 30," but Greaves wrote: "For me, NOT kmi (key match incident) - but I would appreciate your take on this ... Barnes jump challenge with Ivanovic."

Barnes will face no further FA action for his challenge on Matic, while Burnley boss Dyche has hit back at Mourinho's criticism of Atkinson and Barnes, saying: "In live time no-one reacts except Matic.

"After the event, with hindsight and slow motion, statements like 'criminal tackle' are being used. I find that hard to adjust to."

Nemanja Matic was sent off after shoving Ashley Barnes to the ground © Getty Images

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