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John Terry is The Referee Whisperer

Dirty Tackle

Swansea defender Chico Flores was sent off in the 16th minute after getting booked twice in quick succession for poor challenges on Willian and Andre Schurrle, helping Chelsea to a 1-0 win they desperately needed to keep pace with Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

Through this incident Chelsea captain John Terry discovered that he has a gift. One that has nothing to do with sticking any of his body parts inside a box.

From the Guardian:

Asked about his part in the Flores incident, Terry said: "I just said, 'It's a second yellow for me'. He gave him one a couple minutes before on the halfway line and that one just outside the box is probably even more a yellow than the other one. Fair play to Phil [Dowd], the ref, it was a big decision to make and I thought he made the right one and credit goes to him for that."

Yes, John Terry is apparently The Referee Whisperer. Though Phil Dowd could have reached the same conclusion regardless of Terry's trusted and totally unbiased opinion, perhaps the veteran defender has stumbled upon a mystical talent that allows him to subtly influence the minds of match officials with his words.

As Chelsea pursue both the Premier League and Champions League titles, how far can Terry push this?

"I think Atletico Madrid should be disqualified if they play Thibaut Courtois against his parent club in the Champions League. But maybe that's just me."

"I would just give Luis Suarez a yellow card for diving now, before the match starts."

"Ref, I think you should turn off your goal-line technology watch. I'll tell you when someone scores."

"Put Branislav Ivanovic's underwear on your head and sing 'Teenage Dream' by Katy Perry during the match. Everyone will take you more seriously, I swear."

Be afraid.

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Brooks Peck

is the editor of Dirty Tackle on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow on Twitter!