Chelsea felt hard done by when Leeds’ equalising goal against them in the Premier League meeting earlier this month, and now the audio of VAR analysing the incident has been released.
Liam Rosenior will first and foremost be fuming that his side threw away a two-goal lead, contributing to their 19 points dropped so far in the league this season.
There was certainly a case for the defence as far as the Blues were concerned. Many argued there was nothing accidental about the incident, which according to the rules should have seen the goal disallowed.
Chelsea fans – was Rosenior to blame, or was it the players? 😤
Chelsea failed to hold on to a 2-0 lead over Leeds.
VAR said Leeds handball against Chelsea was ‘accidental’ in build up to equalising goal
This was the part where VAR official John Brooks, as well as the referee on the day, disagreed, and leaned in favour of allowing the goal.
With the audio released by ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up‘, referee Robert Jones said: “It doesn’t feel deliberate, John (Brooks, VAR), but obviously sweep it up.”
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Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Brooks said: “The ball is bouncing. He tries to get his arm out of the way in my opinion. It flicks his elbow. It’s not a deliberate handball.”
Assistant VAR Simon Bennett then agreed, before Brooks announced: “Rob, confirming the on-field decision of goal, check complete. The ball does flick the arm of the Leeds player in the APP (attacking phase of play) but it is an accidental handball and he is not the goalscorer.”
Ultimately, this would all have been forgotten by Chelsea fans if Cole Palmer had scored from close range in added time, however he somehow blazed over the bar.
Is Tosin the answer to Rosenior’s problems? 👊
Chelsea are third-worst in the Premier League for conceding from crosses.
Refereeing decisions are not going Chelsea’s way this season
No Premier League club have picked up more red cards than Chelsea this season, and this has directly influenced their ability to hold onto vital three points.
Mark Clattenburg believed VAR should have intervened when Brentford equalised against Chelsea earlier this season, when a player impacted play from an offside position.
The Blues would have gone top of the league if they had won that game, and it has been clear that dealing with long throw-ins has now become an achilles heel for them this season.
They will be hoping there is no refereeing drama when they make the trip to the Emirates on Sunday. Their last league meeting against Arsenal was dominated by Moises Caicedo’s red card.
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