Chelsea handed final referee verdict on Brentford controversy - 'VAR should have'

Chelsea have been handed another new VAR verdict after being denied a win at Brentford in the closing moments courtesy of a controversial Fabio Carvalho equaliser.

The Blues went behind at the Gtech Community Stadium when Kevin Schade fired past Robert Sanchez in the first half. Cole Palmer equalised just five minutes after coming off the bench during the second period with Moises Caicedo then putting the visitors in front late on.

A victory would have seen Chelsea go top of the Premier League, but late substitute Carvalho had other ideas as he slotted home at the back post following a long throw-in.

Maresca was asked about the goal's validity in his post-match press conference but could not provide a clear verdict.

"I didn't watch back," he admitted on Saturday evening. "I asked in the changing room to my coaching staff why the VAR reviewed the second goal. I didn't watch back, to be honest. I don't know."

At the time, little was said about the goal potentially being disallowed, but that has ramped up in the aftermath as further replays showed Dango Ouattara, who appeared to be in an offside position, making an attempt for the ball after Kristoffer Ajer's flick-on.

The incident was discussed on Sky Sports' Ref Watch show, with Dermot Gallagher believing the goal should have stood.

"I think it's a good goal. Being in an offside position isn't an offence in itself," the former Premier League referee said. "Has he touched the ball? No. Has he interfered with an opponent? I think not.

"We've seen this happen before in the Premier League, where the VAR has to decide to send him or not because he feels Ouattara hasn't impacted on the defender."

PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has now provided his verdict on the incident. While he did not provide a clear answer, he has admitted that VAR perhaps should have done more.

"The Brentford player moves onside for the flick-on," he told Football Insider. "The defender clearly makes a deliberate play, and at that point, the scorer is onside.

“The opportunity to show the lines on VAR to confirm the position of attackers and defenders would assist. We must also recognise that VAR does have semi-automated offside technology.

“I would certainly have appreciated VAR intervention to check this goal. VAR did not intervene. It left us with some doubt that this goal should have been allowed.”

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