Chelsea were fortunate to not concede a penalty against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea were lucky to not give away a penalty during their clash against Burnley shortly before taking the lead at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon. During a goal kick, Robert Sanchez played the ball out to Trevoh Chalobah, who strangely stopped it with his hand before attempting a shot.
The bizarre moment came in the 28th-minute as both sides made their return to Premier League action following November’s international break. The incident was overlooked by on-field referee Peter Bankes and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials at Stockley Park.
Burnley’s crowd and players protested the incident. However, their appeals were unsuccessful.
“I think if a penalty is given, nobody is asking any questions,” said former Premier League defender Joleon Lescott while on TNT Sports duty. “I think what has saved Chelsea here is that Sanchez has put his hand on the ball.
“He’s made it definitive that it’s going to be a restart. The referee can’t get that right and he can’t get it wrong, but he’s got that one wrong for Burnley there, I think.”
Lescott and the TNT Sports team also made reference to a similar incident involving Aston Villa in the Champions League last season. However, on that occasion a penalty kick was given, even if the Premier League officials saw it differently in Chelsea’s favour at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea then went on to score their opening goal through Pedro Neto. But there was serious debate going on via social media – and other such platforms.
One observer said: “Burnley can feel hard-done-by – should have had a penalty and was a possibility of handball leading up to Chelsea’s goal. Didn’t show clear replay, though.”
Meanwhile, another added: “David Raya and Gabriel got away with a goal-kick mishap once [for Arsenal] and PGMOL said post match that it should have been a penalty. Chelsea have just done worse. Ridiculous.” A third continued: “Chelsea got away with the penalty.”
During his pre-match interview, Maresca told TNT Sports: “A big challenge. First of all they are a good team and they are with the same manager from last year winning the Championship, and they are doing well and fighting every game. So it will be tough for sure.
“If you can keep the momentum it is always important, knowing very game is different, every game is tough. We need to go one by on.”
On the absence of Cole Palmer, he added: “Yes it was also tough to lose him for previous games, but to lose a player like Cole is always difficult. But soon he will be with us.”
