Roy Hodgson unleashed a fresh tirade against VAR after Chelsea secured a contentious penalty decision, sealing a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
In the dying moments of the match, Chelsea’s substitute, Noni Madueke, maintained his calmness despite Hodgson’s frustration when VAR intervened to award a penalty in the 89th minute. Referee Michael Salisbury consulted the VAR screen to review Eberechi Eze’s challenge on Madueke, leading to the controversial penalty decision. Despite Crystal Palace’s belief that they had done enough to level the score at Stamford Bridge, Madueke capitalized on the opportunity and converted the penalty, securing Chelsea’s much-needed win and extending Palace’s losing streak to eight games.
Expressing his discontent, Hodgson pondered the purpose of VAR and highlighted the delay in decision-making, stating that despite the presence of two referees in each game, the intervention of VAR often alters or overturns on-field judgments. He lamented the diminishing authority of on-field decisions, now subject to scrutiny and alteration by those watching on TV screens.
Hodgson admitted that the penalty call wasn’t his initial impression of what constitutes a penalty, citing prior instances of controversial penalty decisions. Addressing concerns about relegation, he emphasized that he wasn’t overly anxious despite Crystal Palace’s precarious position in the league.
Additionally, Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, praised Madueke’s impact off the bench and emphasized the importance of players pushing for playing time. He highlighted the team’s obligation to perform and the necessity of maintaining a competitive mindset while honoring the club’s heritage and aspirations for success.
The match itself saw Chelsea take an early lead through Mykhailo Mudryk’s goal in just 13 minutes, orchestrated by Malo Gusto’s impressive play. Despite a strong first-half performance from Chelsea, Michael Olise’s injury-time goal allowed Palace to level the score. Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson had opportunities denied by VAR before Madueke’s decisive penalty sealed the dramatic finish.
