By DOMINIC HOGAN
Published: 14:04 EST, 28 November 2024 | Updated: 14:06 EST, 28 November 2024
Both Joe Cole and Peter Crouch were full of praise for referee Serdar Gozubuyuk, after the official stuck with his original decision despite being sent to the pitchside monitor in Chelsea's Conference League clash with Heidenheim.
Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw at half-time in the Conference League, their first time going in at the break not ahead in the competition, before Christian Nkunku broke the deadlock soon after.
The Blues were stymied for the most part by Heidenheim - playing against an English side for the first time in their history - but thought they had a golden opportunity to get off the mark in the first half.
With 33 minutes on the clock, Mykhailo Mudryk thought he had earned his side a penalty, but referee Gozubuyuk was not convinced.
Yet the VAR appeared to think otherwise, and recommended that the Dutch official go to the monitor and reconsider his decision - something which mostly sees the call reversed.
However on this occasion Gozubuyuk stuck with his guns, judging the contact on the Ukrainian was not enough to merit a spot kick.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
Serdar Gozubuyuk stuck with his original decision not to give Chelsea a penalty on Thursday