Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League tonight.Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League tonight.
Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League tonight. | AFP via Getty Images
Moises Caicedo saw a second half strike disallowed by VAR against Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea have been stung by VAR in the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur tonight with a glorious Moises Caicedo strike ruled off for offside in the second half.
The Blues took the lead against their London rivals through Enzo Fernandez after the break, following a feisty first half that climaxed with players clashing off the ball shortly before the whistle for half time. Enzo Maresca thought his side had taken a two goal advantage over Spurs moments later with Caicedo firing home a volley from the edge of the box.
An excruciatingly long wait followed the celebrations as VAR told referee Craig Pawson to halt proceedings. As boos rang around Stamford Bridge, the goal was then disallowed.
Premier League explain VAR decision in Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
A statement from the Premier League Match centre read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and established that Colwill was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”
Caicedo has been in the thick of the action under the lights in west London. The Ecuadorian put in a crunching tackle early doors that appeared to cause him a problem in his thigh. The midfielder eventually received treatment and could later be seen asking for more ointment to be applied, but continued the game.
Despite running gingerly, Caicedo had enough about him to make a sweet connection with the volley, which left Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario little chance between the sticks. The 23-year-old has played in every Premier League match for Chelsea this season and is a linchpin in the Enzo Maresca system.
Speaking about Caicedo in December, Maresca compared the Chelsea man to Manchester City star Rodri as one of the best in the world. He said: “For sure, he’s now at that level, no doubt. Unfortunately now Rodri has an injury, but Declan is playing and I think Moi can sit at that table with that kind of midfielder.”
Craig Pawson at centre of Chelsea controversy previously
It’s not the first time that Chelsea have been left infuriated by an incident involving referee Pawson in recent times. The referee was the official in charge for the unforgettable 2-2 draw with Aston Villa last April.
Chelsea thought they had won that match when Axel Disasi nodded home from close range later on. However, VAR identified a foul in the lead-up to the goal and Pawson was sent to the screen to look at the clash between Diego Carlos and Benoit Badiashile before disallowing the goal.
That decision outraged former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino who claimed VAR had ‘damaged English football’ after the match. Pochettino said: "Everyone that was watching the game will feel disappointed. Two different things the referee said it was a foul and disallowed the goal and then going to the VAR to confirm.
"The referee is unbelievable and it's ridiculous. It is difficult to accept, these type of things in the semi-final [FA Cup against Man City] two weeks ago it was handball and it was no penalty, the referee he didn't check it.
"It is painful as it has damaged English football and I think Villa players and their fans didn't understand why the goal was disallowed. They said it was foul and if you see the challenge what happened if we go into every single challenge like this it is going to be a foul and we wouldn't finish the game with 11 [players]. We can talk about the performance or the decision - it is damaging the game."
In other news, one Chelsea legend has put the blame on Enzo Maresca for Cole Palmer’s dip in form this season.
Continue Reading