Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Thomas Tuchel praises VAR for ‘clear foul’ on Edouard Mendy as Chelsea edge past West Ham

Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea v Liverpool May 2022

Thomas Tuchel was relieved that VAR came to Chelsea’s rescue as his side narrowly beat West Ham 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Super substitute Ben Chilwell dragged the home side to a breathless Premier League win over the Hammers with a virtuoso control and finish then an assist for Kai Havertz.

Chelsea still had to ride their luck en route to a third win in six top-flight games, however, with Maxwel Cornet denied a late leveller for West Ham.

Edouard Mendy raced out to dive at Jarrod Bowen’s feet, but his weak palm gifted Cornet the chance to lash home.

The Hammers’ wild celebrations were cut short, however, as the goal was ruled out after a VAR review.

The officials deemed Bowen’s trailing leg on Mendy a sufficient foul to disallow the goal, leaving the Blues to tiptoe to three vital points.

And speaking after the game, Tuchel said: “It is super tough to score against West Ham, they defend deep and with bodies – the game became more complicated with the goal we gave away.

“It was a huge effort to come back and huge credit to the team, the impact from the bench – full credit to everybody.

Obvious foul for late West Ham equaliser

“It was a clear foul on the goalkeeper, I had doubts about the first one – but I will not comment, last time I got punished with huge fines. You give your opinion, you will not be fined.

“It was not easy to keep the belief, it is hard to attack fluid and create chances against West Ham, nobody plays an open, spectacular match against them.

“We take it now step by step, we will try to use this momentum – things are clear now, we can demand full commitment to everything. We are in the middle of creating this and it is not finished.”