Warnock brands Premier League officials 'worst in world' after Chelsea defeat

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock has branded Premier League officials the "worst in the world" after Chelsea capitalised on a refereeing blunder to produce a dramatic 2-1 comeback win.

Chelsea were 1-0 down with six minutes left when Cesar Azpilicueta, who was standing two yards offside, met Marcos Alonso's flick-on to head home the equaliser.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek punished Cardiff further in stoppage time, leaving the Bluebirds to count the cost of assistant referee Eddie Smart's failure to spot that Azpilicueta was clearly offside.

Warnock also felt that Cardiff should have had two penalties, both for Chelsea players holding Sean Morrison's shirt at set-pieces.

Antonio Rudiger, Warnock added, should also have been sent off for dragging down Kenneth Zohore with the score at 1-1 and the Cardiff substitute through on goal. Rudiger was booked by referee Craig Pawson.

Warnock said the Premier League has "the worst officials at the minute".

Cardiff took the lead against lacklustre Chelsea in the first minute of the second half.

Victor Camarasa struck a splendid volley and Cardiff, who are 18th and in the final relegation place, looked as if they would cut the five-point gap on Brighton, Burnley and Southampton above them.

Read the full match report: Cardiff survival hopes dashed again after late Chelsea comeback