Eberechi Eze had his powerful free-kick ruled out by an unusual law following a VAR check as Crystal Palace held Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
Eze, who started despite being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, thought he had given Palace the lead in the 13th minute when he blasted a free-kick past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
However, the VAR James Bell spotted that Palace captain Marc Guehi had pushed Moises Caicedo to create a gap for the ball to fly through and, in doing so, had moved too close to the Chelsea wall when the ball was struck.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Eberechi Eze has his free-kick disallowed after an on-field review by VAR against Chelsea and referee Darren England explained the decision
Referee Darren England ruled out the goal after consulting the pitchside monitor and announced the decision to Stamford Bridge. He said: “After review, the Crystal Palace No 6 (Guehi) is less than one metre away from the wall as the shot is taken. Therefore, it’s an indirect free-kick and a disallowed goal.”
Sky Sports’ Chris Sutton said on co-commentary that the decision was “scandalous” and “extremely harsh”.
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner said: “The Premier League have to be careful when they disallow these kinds of goals because I think in every direct free-kick, there are blocks somewhere around the wall. But, of course, we have to accept it because that’s the rule.”
Sky Sports’ Micah Richards said: “There can’t be any complaints but it feels like VAR is anti-goals.”
Roy Keane added: “Attacking teams now need to be aware of this rule. We see players in there blocking and being a nuisance all the time.
“Guehi’s almost gone too far in being a nuisance and shoving players about. He just needed to do it a little bit.”
Palace had the better of the first half and, two minutes after the Eze incident, Adam Wharton turned cleverly in midfield before sliding a fine pass through for Jean-Phillipe Mateta, who was denied by Sanchez.
Chelsea had just three shot on target from 19 attempts, going closest in the third minute from Marc Cucurella’s flick header, which was cleared off the line by Ismaila Sarr.
The hosts had more control in the second half yet failed to test Dean Henderson. Liam Delap stuck a late volley straight at the Palace goalkeeper before substitute Andrey Santos skied a good chance.
Glasner: PL has to be careful disallowing Eze goal
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Oliver Glasner says the Premier League has to be careful when disallowing goals similar Eberechi Eze’s ruled freekick against Chelsea.
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner on Eze’s disallowed goal:
“I know we have to be one yard away from the wall. I think maybe we have a situation where we sometimes try to block like everybody’s doing. And, obviously, the block started too early.
“But the Premier League have to be careful when they disallow these kinds of goals. Because I think in every direct free-kick, there are blocks somewhere around the wall. But, of course, we have to accept it because that’s the rule.
“I’m very pleased with the performance today, for most of the time. Just at the end, we lost the ball too quickly and gave them two or three chances, but the defensive work was excellent, the players did a great job. We scored, but it was disallowed. We created two, three, four chances, but we didn’t score, so that’s why we take this point.”
Maresca: We will slowly be better
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca:
“We always try to win the game. Unfortunately, we didn’t win, but I think overall we deserve it. We created enough chances between the first half and the second half.
“Apart from the free-kick where the goal was disallowed, I don’t think we concede chances. But at the same time, we know how tough they are, how well organised they are, and this is the reason why they beat Liverpool and City in the last two finals.
“They already played, I think, seven, eight games. And for us, last week we played two friendly games, but we tried to share minutes. So the first real game was today.
“But for sure, slowly, slowly, we’re going to be better.”
