Derby County vs Swansea City Ref Watch: Three Decisions Andrew Kitchen Got Wrong

By Harri Burton | Published Sat 14 February 2026 16:53, UK

In a heated EFL Championship clash at Pride Park, referee Andrew Kitchen's performance drew sharp criticism from Swansea City fans and analysts. The match, which ended in a narrow 2-1 victory for Derby County, saw Kitchen at the center of controversy with three key decisions that many believe cost the Swans dearly[2][6]. Kitchen, a Durham-born official promoted to the Select Group 2 list after stints in the National League, has a mixed record with Swansea, overseeing just three prior games with a "Swans Love Factor" of 67%—two draws and one loss[1].

Decision 1: Denied Penalty on Clear Handball (35th Minute)

Kitchen waved away strong appeals for a penalty when Derby's center-back deliberately handled a goal-bound shot from Swansea's star forward inside the box. Replays showed the ball striking the arm after deflecting off the defender's chest, meeting modern VAR handball criteria. Instead of pointing to the spot, Kitchen allowed play to continue, enabling Derby to counter and score moments later. Fans fumed, calling it a "game-changer" that shifted momentum[2].

Decision 2: Soft Yellow Card and No Further Action (62nd Minute)

Swansea midfielder Matt Grimes was shown a harsh yellow for minimal contact on a Derby winger, deemed a dive by replays. Compounding the error, Kitchen ignored a reckless two-footed challenge by Derby's No. 8 on Grimes shortly after, which warranted a red card. This imbalance disrupted Swansea's rhythm, leading to Derby's winner five minutes later[2].

Decision 3: Offside Goal Upheld (78th Minute)

Derby's decisive second goal was flagged offside by the linesman, but Kitchen overruled, allowing it to stand despite the attacker being a yard ahead of the last defender. Post-match angles confirmed the call was incorrect, robbing Swansea of a potential draw in a match they dominated possession (58%)[2][6].

Andrew Kitchen, who debuted in the Championship with a QPR-Swansea draw in 2023, has officiated 13 games this season but struggled here amid high stakes. Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan called for better standards, while Derby celebrated. This ref watch underscores ongoing officiating debates in the Championship[1][3].

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