Liam Rosenior made it clear after the game that he was absolutely fuming as a result of the circumstances surrounding Chelsea’s draw with Leeds United.
Rosenior had just seen his side throw away a 2-0 lead, as well as star player Cole Palmer miss an absolute sitter with just minutes to go.
However, there was a sense of injustice after Leeds’ second goal was not disallowed for an apparent handball in the build-up by Jayden Bogle. Referee Rob Jones gave the goal, and was not instructed to disallow it by VAR.
Anything you would change, Chelsea fans?🤔
Two points dropped against Leeds United…
Chelsea player ratings vs Leeds United
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Rosenior stated he had ‘anger’ in his post-match interview with TNT Sports after hearing the circumstances surrounding the handball, and felt at the time of the moment it should have been penalised.
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Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
It looks as if the gaffer has a point when taking a look into the FA’s official laws of the game, revolving around handball.
Law 12 suggests that it can be deemed a handball offence if a player: “Deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example moving the hand/arm towards the ball, or touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger.”
It is hard to argue that there is not some sort of deliberate action from Bogle to impact the game with his arm, and the unnatural position his body is in when the offence is made only further adds to Chelsea’s case.
The Blues’ defending around the incident didn’t do them any favours either. Fingers were pointed at Josh Acheampong for his performance, and he played a key role in the goal against them.
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the handball law is the inconsistency it is being used at. For example, Chelsea were handed a penalty against Crystal Palace for a relatively tame handball incident involving Jaydee Canvot.
This was nowhere near as obvious a handball as Bogle’s, however the Blues were not bailed out by the officials this time.
Chelsea fans – was Rosenior to blame, or was it the players? 😤
Chelsea failed to hold on to a 2-0 lead over Leeds.
Joe Cole has say on potential handball
Chelsea hero Joe Cole was providing punditry on the game, and was very disappointed with how the Blues let the game slip.
However, he did change his mind on the Blues’ claims for handball, believing that there wasn’t enough for the incident to be given.
With Manchester United dropping points on the same night Chelsea did, it would’ve been a serious statement and a return to the top four if they could’ve held on to their lead.
There will now be a week-long break from the Premier League as they return to FA Cup action, with a trip to Rosenior’s former club, Hull City, on Friday.
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