Oliver to ref Burnley v Chelsea
- adamhigginsuk
- Aug 11, 2014
- 2 min read
Making the calls: Oliver will be the man in black for Burnley's first game back in the Premier League (Picture from Zimbio.
com)
REFEREE Michael Oliver will take charge of the Premier League match between Burnley and Chelsea on the opening weekend.
The 29-year-old will officiate Monday's clash between the newly-promoted Clarets and Jose Mourinho's Blues at Turf Moor in their 2014-15 season opener.
He will be assisted by linesmen Darren Cann and Stuart Burt while Mike Dean will assume electronic board duties.
Dean will referee Manchester United's clash with Swansea at Old Trafford on Saturday - a game which Oliver will be the fourth official for.
The Northumberland whistler made an assured start to the domestic campaign in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.
He will also be part of an English officiating team for Tuesday's Uefa Super Cup between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Cardiff, led by Mark Clattenburg.
After four years in non-league football, Oliver was based in the Football League for three years before receiving a call-up to the Select Group of officials.
He became the youngest to officiate in the Premier League when making his debut in August 2010, which was delayed by three months because of injury.
The Ashington-based referee has quickly established himself as an accomplished top-flight official with a confident and assured but less flamboyant approach.
As a reflection of his outstanding progress, Oliver was considered for several key clashes in 2013-14 including a first Manchester derby at Old Trafford and North London derby at the Emirates.
He is now a Fifa Category One official following his promotion in 2012 and has taken charge of several Europa League and international matches.
Last season, Oliver brandished 141 yellow cards and four red cards in 39 matches in all competitions, awarding 12 penalties in the process.
He received his highest tally of Premier League games thus far in his career, overseeing 26 games in total, including Chelsea's 2-1 win over Cardiff on the final day of the season.
The Blues finished third behind Liverpool and Manchester City in the top-flight last term in Mourinho's first season in his second spell in charge.
Meanwhile, Burnley defied the odds to achieve automatic promotion from the Championship, finishing as the runners-up behind champions Leicester.
The 20:00 BST kick-off will be screened live on Sky Sports as part of their Monday Night Football promo.
Back in the middle: Oliver last took charge of Burnley in their 1-0 win over Lancashire rivals Blackpool at Bloomfield Road (Picture from Premier League.com)
Last updated: 11 August 2014 20:44pm
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