The Brazilian felt the contact from the Uzbekistan international was enough to warrant a spot kick, but VAR disagreed in a goalless first half at Wembley Stadium
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( AP )
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Chelsea were denied a penalty after Joao Pedro’s appeal following contact with Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov towards the end of the FA Cup final.
After a break in play, as VAR checked the incident, the Blues were left frustrated, with play continuing in a goalless first half.
Joao Pedro was lively during the first half and stormed towards goal, only for Khusanov to step across his line just as the Chelsea forward stepped into the area. The Brazilian and Chelsea fans on social media were convinced the contact from the Uzbekistan international was enough to warrant a spot kick, but VAR and a number of pundits disagreed.
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“I'm not sure he can get out of the way of Joao Pedro, I don't think VAR will do anything with that, I think he stands firm, stands in his way, and I think that's really good defending,” Alan Shearer said on co-commentary duties on the BBC.
While Ally McCoist agreed, stating on TNT Sports: "I think it's excellent defending. He just comes across and stands his ground. I think it's excellent.”
With Steven Gerrard in agreement: "It's a shoulder charge, isn't it, I agree with you Ally. Brilliant in the duel this half, both him [Khusanov] and Marc Guehi.”
Numerous replies on social media from fans disagreed with VAR and pundits, with some labelling it an "obvious" and "blatant" penalty. Others claimed that the incident would likely warrant a foul if committed outside of the area.
The Blues were denied another appeal in the second half, with Enzo Fernandez’s cross blocked by Nico O’Reilly in a fiery contest as Pep Guardiola’s side target a famous domestic treble.