The Premier League have explained why Chelsea's penalty was overturned by VAR during their Friday night clash with Manchester United
22:07, 16 May 2025
The Premier League have explained why Chelsea's penalty was overturned against Manchester United.
The Blues and the Red Devils had produced a snoozefest on Friday evening, which burst into life just past the hour mark when Chelsea were awarded a spot kick.
Andre Onana was ruled to have taken down Tyrique George in the penalty area and referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot. However, VAR called the referee over to the monitor - and he chalked the penalty off.
And the Premier League have now explained why the penalty decision was overturned.
A post on the Premier League's Match Centre account read: "VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty for the challenge by Onana on George and recommended an on-field review – with Onana deemed to have played the ball.
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"The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball."
"Great decision by VAR, the contact in initiated by the Chelsea player and he is very lucky not to get a yellow card for simulation," one fan posted. While a second said: "So this not a penalty!"
"How this was given in real time," a third asked. And another added: "Yellow for a dive should of been given!"
Chelsea, however, took the lead a couple of minutes later through Marc Cucurella.
"Chelsea's best move of the match and they've not had many," Alan Smith said on Sky Sports.
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"Quality in the final third has been lacking, but there it is. Marc Cucurella doesn't panic and he answers the call! What a huge moment that could be for Chelsea."