Dermot Gallagher has revealed whether or not Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty against Manchester United. Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot during the Blues' 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Friday night when Andre Onana was adjudged to have fouled Tyrique George inside the box.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Craig Pawson, quickly intervened and recommended a pitch-side review of the incident. Kavanagh overturned his initial decision after taking a second look at the collision, deeming the United goalkeeper to have 'played the ball'.
Explaining the process, an official statement from the Premier League said: "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. The referee overturned the original decision, and play restarted with a drop ball."
On Sky Sports' Ref Watch show, Gallagher analysed the incident. The former Premier League referee said: "Excellent use of VAR. Hand on heart, we would all give a penalty there on first viewing. When you see it again, he doesn't catch him. He gets the ball, good intervention from VAR and rightly overruled."
Chelsea forward Tyrique George is challenged by Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Chelsea forward Tyrique George is challenged by Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana. (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Gallagher was also asked whether Ayden Heaven should've been sent off for his challenge on Malo Gusto. VAR looked at serious foul play, but Pawson chose not to upgrade the caution to a red card.
"It's certainly not a red card for me," said the former Premier League referee. "Gusto makes a similar challenge, the only difference is Gusto gets the ball. Heaven doesn't, but they both leap in. Gusto is actually further off the ground than Heaven is!"
Speaking on Sky Sports on Friday night, Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp claimed Onana was fortunate to have had the penalty overturned. On George's inexperience, the former United midfielder said: "If he had just knocked it a bit wider and fallen into the goalkeeper but, of course, he gets a touch on the ball and it's the right decision.
"I think he could have been a little bit smarter. If he had a bit more experience, I think he'd have knocked wide from him and he'd of made contact with the goalkeeper.
"He knows - there, look! He looks a bit guilty there, doesn't he?"
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Keane went on: "I think a smarter player with a bit more experience would have knocked it a bit wider and fallen into the goalkeeper. He was a little bit lucky. He done that previously.
"We got to the right decision, but don't give him a chance. Mind your own business. Why is he coming out there? He just gets in touch, so he'll argue all day it's the right decision."
On George, who made his first start for Chelsea against United, Redknapp said: "It was difficult. He's not a striker. He's played all his career as a young academy player, as a wide player.
"All of sudden, he's playing against three experienced centre-backs trying to run the line. It was a tough night for him. It wasn't ever going to be easy.
"But when you're making your full debut, you want to really play in your best position, but also you don't care, you just want to be out there."
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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