Tottenham vs Chelsea: Martin Atkinson to referee White Hart Lane derby

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Tom Doyle4 January 2017

Referee Martin Atkinson will officiate Wednesday night's crucial Premier League encounter between Tottenham and Chelsea at White Hart Lane.

Atkinson, 45, was in charge of Arsenal's 2-1 defeat against Manchester City in December, with Arsene Wenger suggesting that officials are protected "like lions in a zoo" after City scored "two offside goals".

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was "not surprised" that Wenger escaped a potential sanction from the Football Association regarding his lions jibe, but Atkinson will be under pressure given growing criticism of Premier League officials in recent weeks.

Fellow top-flight officials Mike Dean and Craig Pawson have both come under recent criticism for controversial decisions during the festive fixture schedule, with Professional Game Match Officials Limited - the body responsible for referees - also under fire for a lack of consistency in officials' decisions.

One player who is unlikely to give Atkinson too much trouble tonight is, surprisingly, Diego Costa. The Chelsea striker says he was forced to adapt his hot-headed temperament and physical style of play because the referees in England were ‘never going to change’.

The Spain international collected ten bookings and one red card for the Blues last season, but has improved his discipline of late and focussed on goals with 17 in 23 appearances so far this term.

"Costa said: "I know when I do bad, so I thought about it and knew I had to improve that aspect because, here in the Premier League, the reality is there’s no mercy, a lot of the time it seemed like [the referees were against me].

"There was no other way, because if they’re not going to change, I had to change."

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