A controversial decision to chalk off a brilliant Josh King goal left Fulham feeling robbed and manager Marco Silva “seething” on the touchline.
Fulham were left furious and feeling hard done by after a contentious VAR decision robbed them of a stunning opener in their Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday.
The Cottagers, who were seeking their first win of the season, had stunned the home crowd at Stamford Bridge just 21 minutes in. After winning the ball on the edge of their own box, they transformed defence into attack with a slick, three-pass move that ended with young striker Josh King coolly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
The celebrations were cut short, however, as referee Rob Jones was instructed to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. After a lengthy delay, he overturned the goal, judging that Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz had committed a foul on Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up.
The official announcement stated that Muniz had “commits a careless challenge, stands on the foot of the Chelsea defender,” and awarded a free kick to the hosts.
The baffling call left Fulham manager Marco Silva, according to BBC Sport, “seething” on the sidelines. The travelling Fulham supporters made their feelings known, loudly chanting “you don’t know what you’re doing” at the officials.
The decision was also heavily criticized by pundits. Former Premier League defender Curtis Davies, speaking after the incident, was scathing in his assessment.
“I’m fuming and I’m a defender and usually I’m on the side of the defender,” Davies said. “Trevor Chalobah has gone for a tackle that was never in his favour. Rodrigo Muniz takes the ball and accidentally steps on his foot. I don’t know how that’s a foul, never mind taking off the goal. It’s ridiculous.”
The controversial moment marked the third time in three matches that a goal has been ruled out by VAR in Chelsea’s favour, but by far the most debatable, turning the west London derby on its head and handing the initiative back to the Blues.
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