Gary Neville was forced to backtrack after Arsenal had a goal ruled out.
Riccardo Calafiori's goal was disallowed because Ezri Konsa was offside
Riccardo Calafiori's goal was disallowed because Ezri Konsa was offside (Image: Getty)
Gary Neville issued an on-air apology to VAR and Pro Ref after Arsenal had an equaliser disallowed against Chelsea under controversial circumstances. The reigning Premier League champions found themselves chasing the game inside two minutes, with Morgan Rogers volleying home for the Blues with their first chance of the match.
Arsenal responded well and thought they had levelled up when Riccardo Calafiori bundled into the net from a goalmouth scramble. However, just seconds after the Italian defender had wheeled away in celebration, the strike was disallowed because Ezri Konsa was deemed offside.
It initially looked like a controversial decision, with Neville saying on Sky Sports commentatary: "All hell is going to break loose here. I don't agree with it.
"I disagree with it. I mean, look, there's no doubt that he's in an offside position but, for me, Emi Martinez has a clear chance to save it."
Neville wasn't convinced that Konsa interfered with play, but replays showed the former Aston Villa defender touched it moments before Calafiori's decisive touch.
After seeing the evidence for himself, Neville was quick to apologise for getting his initial verdict wrong as he accepted the goal shouldn't have counted.
He said: "Correction. Apologies to the VAR and PGMOL. Pro Ref is it? Excellent. I couldn't see that Konsa touched the ball."