The statistics show that up to match round 28 last season, four penalties had been awarded for holding at set pieces compared to seven at the same stage this season. If you include the number of penalties given for holding offences in open play (when a cross comes into the box), there has been a total increase from nine penalties by this stage last season to 12 penalties so far this campaign.
Several errors Today, Gazzetta dello Sport have re-capped the different events that have made differences, and it starts with the second match day of the season, where Matteo Gabbia had a goal ruled out in similar fashion to Troilo's winner for Parma at the weekend. Additionally, there was the penalty incident where Samuele Ricci was brought down, had that decision gone the Rossoneri's way, perhaps they would have won 4-0 that day.
Any momentum Chelsea had picked up in the final week of November, through outclassing Barcelona and matching Arsenal with 10 men, appears to have been stunted in December. After Wednesday's defeat at Leeds, a point against Bournemouth is no disaster but, with Arsenal's earlier loss to Aston Villa, it is a chance missed. Eight points separate them and the top of the Premier League.
The running order is determined by several factors, including the number of goals, the importance of the result in the title race or relegation battle, controversial VAR calls, and the overall quality of the game.
