Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports
Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, VAR, Reece James, Bournemouth, Football
Luke Davies
Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, VAR, Reece James, Bournemouth, Football
Fans are convinced that Chelsea’s equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge should have been disallowed.
Enzo Maresca’s side took an early lead when Cole Palmer netted his 14th Premier League goal of the season 13 minutes in.
But on 50 minutes, Bournemouth hit back when Justin Kluivert converted a penalty, which Moises Caicedo conceded for a challenge on Antoine Semenyo.
And Semenyo, 25, handed the Cherries the advantage with 22 minutes left to play in west London.
However, Chelsea captain Reece James spared his side’s blushes with a 95th-minute free-kick to send Andoni Iraola’s side home disappointed after a spirited performance.
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But Iraola, 42, cut a frustrated figure following the match and appeared to suggest that James’ strike should be “changed”.
As James struck the ball, Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson were stood close to Semenyo, who was placed on the end of Bournemouth's defensive wall with some fans suggesting that their 'intrusion' impaired goalkeeper Mark Travers' vision.
"It's difficult to value,” said the Cherries boss.
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“When you consider how Chelsea played and we played, I don't think we deserved to win.
"Cucurella is touching Semenyo and they scored. It should be changed. What do you have to check? I don't think we were better than Chelsea."
“VAR has to check the free-kick and the point of contact,” he added when speaking to BBC Sport.
Fans were quick to give their thoughts on social media.
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One said: "Absolutely no way Cucurella and Jackson (who impact Travers’ eyeline) are a metre away from the wall."
Another added: "I’m sorry but look at that gap in the wall. Whether that’s down to Travers, there’s absolutely no way that should happen regardless of the Chelsea players."
A third explained: "I’ll never understand keepers standing in the middle of the goal with free kicks that close."
While a fourth commented: "What a massive baby Iraola is. They're far enough away when the ball is struck but of course your picture isn't of that. Ball goes so far away from them too. Blocking the keeper's eyeline isn't an offence. Headloss take, which is a shame as Bournemouth were better side 2nd half."
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Chelsea are back in action against Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday 20 January while Bournemouth travel to St James' Park where they will face Newcastle United on Saturday 18 January.