Rosenior felt the goal should have been disallowedplaceholder image
Rosenior felt the goal should have been disallowed | AFP via Getty Images
Dermot Gallagher has had his say on the flash point during Chelsea’s frustrating draw with Leeds United.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has had his say on the controversial moment during Chelsea’s home draw with Leeds United on Tuesday night. The Blues had to settle for a point despite once leading by two goals, with Cole Palmer notably missing an open goal from a yard out even after Leeds had come back.
Lukas Nmecha scored the first Leeds goal, and the second couldn’t have been more scrappy, but ultimately the ball fell to Noah Okafor, who tapped home in front of the visiting supporters.
But the goal did have to be reviewed due to the ball striking Jayden Bogle’s hand in the build-up. But VAR decided that the handball was accidental, and that the goal should be allowed.
That did not please Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, as you would expect. He said after the game: “At the time I did, I still haven’t seen it. People are still questioning whether it is or whether it isn’t. The rule is if there’s any contact with his hand it should be disallowed but I haven’t seen it back to make that judgement.
“The rule is the rule, from my understanding if there’s any handball in the lead up to a goal, it should be disallowed,” he added after being offered an explanation of the decision. So if they’ve said that, then someone explain the rules to me because they need to help the referees. You saying that has just got me angrier because that’s unacceptable if they’ve come with that judgement.”
Gallagher has his say
Speaking to Sky Sports on their Ref Watch feature, Gallagher explained why the rule Rosenior was referring to does not apply to this circumstance. He said: “If you look, it strikes him, there is no doubt about that, but is it deliberate? No, I do not think so.
“Does it lead directly to a goal? Definitely not as three Chelsea players touch the ball in between him and eventually goes in way after that incident. So it does not fall into the criteria. “
Pundit Jay Bothroyd added: “The reason [Chelsea head coach Liam] Rosenior is upset about this is because the handball has led directly to a goal. Of course we know the rules, but that situation has come about because it has hit his arm.”
Ultimately, Chelsea had their big chance to win the game in spite of the complaint, with Palmer having that big opportunity from close range but somehoe managing to blaze it high. It’s tricky to have big complaints about the refereeing when you make such a big mistake of your own.
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