Peter Crouch and Joe Cole both agreed that it was the right decision to overturn Chelsea's penalty claim against Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League. The Blues travelled to Baden-Württemberg on Thursday looking to extend their unbeaten run in the competition so far.
Enzo Maresca's side needed until the 51st minute to break the deadlock with Christopher Nkunku adding to his tally in Europe. However, they could've had the opportunity to open the scoring in the first-half from the penalty spot.
Mykhailo Mudryk was tripped in the box and Dutch referee Serdar Gözübüyük pointed to the spot. However, following the intervention of VAR, the decision was overturned - handing a reprieve for the German minnows.
Cole praised the decision from the official, he told TNT Sports: "We don’t often see [them sticking to their guns] so credit to the ref there. I think the ref has got it spot on.
"Mudryk got in the pocket here, look at his electric pace, drives in [it is] clumsy from the centre half but when you see it from the other angle he doesn’t actually… it’s a clip.
"It is not enough and Mudryk goes down a bit theatrically. The referee makes the right decision and I am glad he had it in him to go to the monitor and stick to his guns."
The former Liverpool and Tottenham striker agreed with his fellow pundit, describing the decision as 'brave'. He added: "It is brave from the referee.
"Quite often when you go over there you just automatically know they are going to give it. But, I think he came to the right decision there. I don’t think there was enough. Mudryk puts his foot in into his shin and initiates it it and I don’t think it was enough for the penalty but well done to the referee."