By a surprising VAR decision, Chelsea was denied a clear penalty.
The Chelsea players were incensed after Tomas Soucek appeared to “save” a Conor Gallagher shot late in the game against West Ham but did not give them a penalty.
In the 89th minute, the Hammers midfielder dived to the ground to prevent a shot from Gallagher, but the ball swerved around the post and off his arm.
Players for Chelsea soon advised a penalty, but referee Craig Pawson dismissed their requests. Despite the fact that it seemed like a “clear and evident error” on the part of the on-field officials, VAR decided not to step in.
Peter Walton, a former referee, said of the choice: “Well when Soucek falls down there, you can plainly see his arm go down.” Does he have his arm down there to deflect the ball or to keep him from striking the ground? “If it hasn’t been given, in my perspective, he has gotten away with it. That seems like a penalty kick.”
“I’m in amazement; I can’t believe that’s not been delivered,” said Jermaine Jenas, a former England international. Do you understand what I mean when I say that if you need to, you can land on the ground without using your arms?
“That’s handball, Soucek,” the referee said. “He understands what he’s doing there. He even has a slight glance here.” “I think that this is the wrong choice, even though the shot on goal was on aim.”