Chelsea have been given a fresh VAR penalty verdict after a controversial incident surrounding Declan Rice in the penalty box during their defeat at Arsenal
Chelsea have been sent a new penalty verdict on Declan Rice's two penalty infringements against Chelsea
Chelsea have been sent a new penalty verdict on Declan Rice's two penalty infringements against Chelsea(Image: Sky Sports)
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Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has conceded that Chelsea should have been given a penalty due to an offence by Arsenal's Declan Rice. Just before the Blues levelled the score at Emirates Stadium, Rice seemed to handle Reece James' corner whilst also grappling with Jorrel Hato.
Although the subsequent set-piece resulted in a goal, it sparked a debate about holding during corners. Gallagher has now weighed in on Rice's unintentional handball on Sky Sports ' Ref Watch, with former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd agreeing it should have been a penalty, but for a different reason - a foul by the Arsenal midfielder.
Gallagher stated: "I thought it was a penalty. I think he moves his arm to the ball and his arm shouldn't be up that high.
"I get told it's because he's engaging with an opponent but in my opinion you shouldn't be engaged with an opponent that high up, he shouldn't have his arms around his shoulder."
As they rewatched the incident and the ball hitting Rice's elbow, Bothroyd suggested: "For me, it's a penalty for a different reason. Why are Declan's arms around him, stopping [Hato] jumping."
Replays also revealed William Saliba holding Joao Pedro at another corner for the visitors, with David Raya seemingly punching him at a separate one.
At the opposite end, Jurrien Timber secured the winning goal from a corner, heading in Rice's cross. Robert Sanchez protested for a foul but his appeals were quickly waved away, with Gallagher offering his view.
"I never even considered a foul," he said. "If anything, it is the Chelsea player that pushes into him. I watched this game and I really feel for the referees now because in this situation, every corner there was so much going on.
"I don't know what the referee is supposed to do. You could pick three, four or five incidents out at every single corner."
Whilst all three goals originated from set-pieces, controversial moments elsewhere on the pitch also arose. Pedro Neto's red card after receiving two yellow cards within minutes was among them, with Gallagher and Bothroyd expressing their views on the incident.
Pedro Neto of Chelsea is shown a red card
Chelsea star Pedro Neto was sent off against Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
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The former said: "He's only got a yellow three minutes earlier. It's such a rash challenge."
Bothroyd subsequently acknowledged: "It's a challenge that isn't needed at all. Neto is fast, he can run with him with pace. There's no need to make a tackle at all. He's cost his team. Lazy defending."
Whilst many believed a penalty should have been awarded against Rice, only Gyokeres held that opinion himself after what he considered to be a foul by Trevoh Chalobah. However, upon reviewing the footage, it was clear that minimal, if any, contact had been made.
Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville gave a straightforward assessment, saying: "I don't think there's anything in it, it's a good challenge initially from Chalobah. Yeah, he dives."