Dermot Gallagher explains finer details of Chelsea goal ruled out by VAR

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has said that VAR made the correct decision in chalking off Cesar Azpilicueta’s goal against Liverpool on Sunday.

Having gone 1-0 down from a well-worked Trent Alexander-Arnold free kick, Chelsea thought they had responded at Stamford Bridge when Azpilicueta tapped home from close range following Fabinho’s failed clearance inside his own box.

The move started when Mason Mount was in an offside position and despite there being a period of play after the offside, Gallagher explained to Sky Sports why it was right for the goal not to stand

“Mount was clearly offside. The view of the VAR was that Liverpool never had a chance to defend that situation,” the former referee said.

“Chelsea had six players touch the ball while Liverpool’s two touches were accidental touches. The VAR has to decide whether Liverpool had a chance to defend and he chose ‘no’.”

Liverpool went onto score immediately after the ruled-out goal through Roberto Firmino’s header, and hung on to claim a narrow 2-1 victory and maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season.

 

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