Chelsea v Leeds United - Premier League - Source: Getty
Chelsea v Leeds United - Premier League - Source: Getty
Liam Rosenior was left fuming over the ‘unacceptable’ ruling that allowed Leeds United’s second goal to stand against Chelsea. The Blues threw away a two-goal lead to play out a 2-2 draw against Leeds on Tuesday.
Goals from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer had put Chelsea firmly in the ascendancy, but Lukas Nmecha’s 76th-minute penalty halved the deficit before Noah Okafor restored parity with 17 minutes left to play.
However, there was some controversy surrounding Okafor’s equalizer, as the ball appeared to hit the hand of Jayden Bogle in the build-up. Speaking to TNT Sports, Rosenior insisted that he had not seen it back when asked if he thought it was handball in the build-up to Okafor’s goal.
“At the time I did,” he said. “I still haven't seen it. People still questioning whether it is whether it isn't. The rule is if there is any contact with his hand, it should be disallowed, but I haven’t seen it back to make that judgement.”
When told by reporter Olivia Buzaglo that the ball had hit his arm but was deemed a non-deliberate handball, the Chelsea boss was incensed.
“The rule is the rule,” he continued. “From my understanding, if there’s any handball in the lead up to a goal, it should be disallowed. So, if they’ve said that, then someone explain the rules to me because they need to help the referee. You saying that has just got me angrier because it's unacceptable if they've come with that judgement.”
Chelsea failed to capitalize on an opportunity to win the game as Palmer missed a sitter in the final seconds of the match. The result put an end to the Blues' run of four straight wins in the Premier League.
Premier League explains why Leeds’ second goal vs Chelsea was allowed to stand
Amid calls for a handball, the Premier League Match Centre stated that Leeds defender Bogle made no handball offence in the build-up to their equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Referee Robert Jones awarded the goal on the field, and the Premier League confirmed that the video assistant referee (VAR) upheld the decision. Explaining the decision, they wrote on X:
“The referee’s call of goal to Leeds United was checked and confirmed by VAR – with there deemed to be no handball offence by Bogle in the build-up.”
The Blues remain fifth in the standings with 44 points after 26 matches.