Fulham lost to VAR in the West London Derby that featured Chelsea
Fulham played Chelsea yesterday at Stamford Bridge in a London Derby that ended 2-0 to the home side, with the aid of some controversial VAR decisions.
The Whites went into this game with a steady start to the season, following two 1-1 draws against Brighton and Manchester United, respectively. The next test was against our Neighbours (the World Champions), which was never going to be easy, but this is Fulham, when are things ever easy, as we were about to find out.
This aint about my connection with Fulham, it’s about my love of the game and what’s happening to it I don’t remember seeing a worse VAR decision than this one. I hope to god there’s an apology. – Former Fulham Midfielder Danny Murphy on MOTD
Fulham started the game well, putting pressure on Chelsea and not allowing them to play as they wanted. When the opportunity finally came and the Visitors went 0-1 up through Josh King’s first-ever senior Goal for the club, it was an incredible moment for him and the fans. Then, in came VAR.
The game was stopped for a VAR check on a challenge that was made in the build-up to the Goal, which involved Rodrigo Muniz. He had supposedly made a “Careless Challenge” on Trevor Chalobah. The ball was played to Muniz in his own half with his back to the Goal. As he turns with the ball, Chalobah arrives behind him for a Challenge, leading to the Brazilian treading on the defender’s foot, causing him to go down to the ground.
I do not understand what the Striker can do in this situation; he is clearly looking at the Ball in the moment and wanting to complete the bit of skill. His foot cannot go anywhere else as he is stepping back; upon watching again and again, it is an unbelievable decision.
The Referee, Robert Jones, then went to the monitor with the decision made to rule the goal out. He would then address the Fans in the ground.
After review, Fulham number 9 commits a careless challenge, stands on the foot of the Chelsea defender, therefore we disallow the Goal and we restart with a Chelsea free kick. – Referee Robert Jones
The internet then blew up with some people calling it “the worst VAR decision in Premier League history“
The game restarted, and as it was coming up to half-time, eight minutes of stoppage time would be added. Fulham would soon find themselves up against it, being 1-0 down after nine minutes of added time after an Enzo Fernández corner found the head of Joao Pedro to give the home side the lead at the break.
As the halftime whistle went, Marco Silva was seen on the touchline shaking the hands of his players, but waiting to have words with the Referee, but was then advised to go down the tunnel.
The first goal eight minutes extra time. after the first corner it was already nine minutes. it is time to stop the game that is the rules. I asked the referee and he said because we lost time, but i checked the eight minutes the game didnt stop. – Marco Silva
After the Break, things then went from bad to worse for Fulham, conceding a Penalty in a once again controversial way with VAR involved. Left back Ryan Sessegnon’s arm was hit with his back facing Trevor Chalobah’s cross inside the area, and the penalty kick was awarded.
However, in the build-up to this was a Foul on Josh King, a handball by Joao Pedro in the Fulham area, and finally a stamp on Whites Midfielder Alex Iwobi, none of which seemed to have been picked up by VAR.
There is no doubt that it was a penalty, but the fact that the VAR team did not even want to look back at the other incidents is baffling, considering the outrage of the disallowed goal earlier on.
Enzo Fernandez then converted the spot kick to put Chelsea 2-0 up and seal all 3 points for the home side.
2-0 to the referee – sang the away fans
The wind was well and truly knocked out of Fulham, and the game fell flat in the closing stages. How different the result could have been if King’s first Goal for the club had stood. Fulham should not be discouraged at all, having played well most of the game.
Not forgetting Josh King sending Tosin for a hot dog for the Goal was very enjoyable.
The penalty is another shocking decision. Someone at the screen has seen something unbelievable, like a stamp. But the same people did not see a foul on King and a handball by Joao Pedro and a stamp on Alex Iwobi – Marco Silva
Fulham will certainly feel hard done by, particularly after last Sunday’s game with Manchester United, in which VAR awarded them a controversial goal after a brief check.
I have been watching football for years, we win and we certainly lose, we have been up, we have been down. But I do not think I have ever left a football match so angry before, and it’s not even through the fault of our players.
It certainly is a tough one to take, and this will no doubt be talked about for a while yet, leading to yet more questions regarding VAR and the people behind it.
We still have the Transfer window to look forward to, maybe.
Anyway way onto the International break now with time to lick our wounds and wonder why we still love watching this supposed Beautiful Game, with Leeds United coming to the cottage on the 13th of September.
See you there, COYW!