Rebecca Welch creates Premier League history at Craven Cottage - in pictures

Welch becomes first woman to referee a Premier League match as Burnley stun Fulham

Referee Rebecca Welch speaks to Burnley's goalkeeper James Trafford during the Premier League match against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, December 23, 2023. Welch became the first female referee ever to officiate a Premier League game. AP

Referee Rebecca Welch talks to Fulham striker Bobby Decordova-Reid. AFP

Rebecca Welch became the first female referee of a Premier League match on Saturday. AFP

Referee Rebecca Welch checks on Burnley's Connor Roberts. PA

Referee Rebecca Welch at Craven Cottage. Getty Images

Referee Rebecca Welch leaves the field at full-time. Getty Images

Referee Rebecca Welch blows the full-time whistle at Craven Cottage. Getty Images

Rebecca Welch speaks with Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill. AFP

History was created on Saturday as Rebecca Welch became the first woman to referee a Premier League match - between Fulham and Burnley.

Burnley gave their fans an early Christmas present with just their third win of the Premier League season with a shock 2-0 victory over Fulham as Vincent Kompany's side moved off the bottom of the table.

Fulham dominated the first half but second-half goals from Wilson Odobert and Sander Berge saw Burnley move up to 19th with 11 points.

The win gave Burnley's survival hopes a boost while Fulham failed to move into the top half of the table, with Marco Silva's side dropping to 12th after a second straight loss.

But the match will be remembered for Welch's bow. She made her first big intervention at Craven Cottage when she showed a yellow card to Calvin Bassey late in the first half after the defender struck Josh Brownhill with his hand.

In 2021, she became the first woman appointed to referee a match in the Football League when she took charge of the fourth-tier fixture between Harrogate and Port Vale.

Last month, Welch became the first woman to act as fourth official in a Premier League game as part of the officiating team for Fulham's match against Manchester United. Last year, she also became the first woman to take charge of an FA Cup third-round tie.

It was an impressive debut for Welch, who ignored boos from the Fulham fans when she booked Bassey.