PGMOL slammed for 'disgusting' referee decision during Arsenal vs Chelsea

Chris Kavanagh has been slammed on social media after awarding Morgan Rogers a yellow card following a cynical challenge from Declan Rice during Arsenal vs Chelsea.

The Gunners climbed back to the top of the Premier League - level on points and goal difference with Manchester City - after coming from behind to beat Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

Morgan Rogers initially opened the scoring for the visitors with a superbly executed volley inside two minutes, before goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard secured a 2-1 victory for the reigning Premier League champions.

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Chris Kavanagh criticised for giving Morgan Rogers yellow card in Declan Rice altercation

An end-to-end contest between two of the league's best teams produced equally quality and controversial moments, giving referee Chris Kavanagh several big calls to make.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes was one player arguably fortunate to escape a caution after catching goalkeeper Emi Martinez with his boot, albeit the incident was accidental as he attempted to play the ball.

Then, deep into the second half, Declan Rice somehow escaped a yellow card after tripping Rogers as he was about to enter the box, before Cole Palmer blazed his attempt over the bar.

Kavanagh controversially pointed for a goal kick instead of pulling the game back for a free kick on the edge of the box, and this prompted an angry response from Rogers, who ferociously pushed his England teammate.

The experienced official then gave Chelsea's No. 17 a yellow card for his reaction to the challenge, but didn't book Rice, with many - including Gary Neville - disagreeing with that call live on Sky Sports.

"He's fuming Morgan Rogers, and he's just pushed Declan Rice, he's right," Neville said. "Rice tripped him up; I can't believe the referee hasn't seen it. Declan Rice knew he couldn't get back to Morgan Rogers; they're England teammates."

A clip of the incident circulated online, and thousands shared Neville's viewpoint, with one account writing: "This right here is why everyone hates Arsenal, disgusting from Declan Rice & Rogers is the one who gets booked."

"Clearly stops him from entering the box and referee gives nothing," someone else commented.

A third stated: "This referee today has had a shocker. He’s 100% favoured Arsenal from start to finish. Arsenal and Arteta are the new Man Utd and Ferguson."

"That's what Arsenal do anyways. PGMOL helps them always," another pointed out, claiming that the Gunners get preferential treatment from the PGMOL.

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Jamie Carragher shares damning Arsenal verdict

Although some favourable decisions went their way, Arsenal proved why they are odds-on favourites to retain the Premier League title.

A normally free-scoring Chelsea side found the net just once and registered an xG of 0.35 at the Emirates, with Ezri Konsa performing exceptionally alongside Gabriel on his full debut for the club.

Konsa was signed from Aston Villa for £55million as Gabriel's partner while William Saliba continues to recover from a back injury, and Jamie Carragher believes how solid the Gunners look without the "world-class" Frenchman is a huge worry for the rest of the league.

Carragher said on Sky Sports: "I think the worrying thing for everybody else already is that Saliba, - who is genuinely world-class arguably probably the best centre-back in world football – has not played a minute of football so far this season. And it doesn’t look like anyone can score against them."

Arsenal travel to Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday before facing Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.