12 February 2023 , 04:30
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Chelsea were left cursing their luck as they were denied a “stonewall” penalty during their 1-1 draw with West Ham.
Joao Felix had given the Blues a first-half lead in east London, with Enzo Fernandez linking up with his new team-mate to brilliant effect. But the Hammers grew into the game and it was a familiar face in Emerson Palmeri who levelled the scores.
Both sides had chances after the break, with the hosts believing they had scored a late winner only for Tomas Soucek’s effort to be disallowed following a VAR intervention.
But it was then a lack of intervention which left a sour taste in the mouth of everyone associated with Chelsea. Graham Potter’s side screamed for a penalty after Conor Gallagher ’s shot was blocked with Soucek, with replays showing it clearly hit his arm.
However, the VAR backed up the on-field decision with Chelsea forced to settle for a point for the third straight game. Here are the biggest Mirror Football stories following the controversial derby.
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Potter’s inexperience shows
BT Sport pundits Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole hit out at Potter’s diplomatic response to the big talking point of the game. The Blues boss refused to publicly criticise the referee in his media commitments straight after the window, something both felt a manager like Jose Mourinho may have done.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter refused to call out the officials (BT Sport)Cole said: "I think if he had someone in his staff who’s maybe been at that level, managed at that level, you need to cause a bit of an uproar because it does two things. It takes the deflection from the bad elements of your performance, and it also puts it on VAR.”
Ferdinand added: "Mourinho would have been at it in that presser today and it would have been the story of tomorrow. The back page would have been ‘Mourinho slams VAR,’ and it takes the gloss off what happened on the pitch.”
Potter’s Soucek swipe
It wasn’t all diplomacy from Potter though, who went from gracious to spiky when he branded Soucek West Ham’s goalkeeper.
West Ham defender escaped punishment for a clear handball“It was a good save,” Potter griped. “You need your goalkeeper sometimes to give you the points. It looks like one of those that if it was given it wouldn’t have been overturned but obviously it wasn’t given.”
Soucek replied in turn, with the Hammers posting a video of him saying: "Haha, my father was a goalkeeper so..."
Fan ‘knocked out’ before West Ham clash
In more serious matters, a Chelsea supporter was punched to the ground shortly before kick-off, with Reece James condemning the incident.
Viral images show the individual confronting a group of West Ham fans before being rendered unconscious after a punch to the head. James posted on social media: “The news has crossed my attention that a fan was punched & knocked out before today’s game.
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“I totally understand rivalry and the tension between teams in big games but violence is no answer. I hope he’s okay. Appreciate the travelling fans as always. Stick with us & stay safe. See u in Dortmund.”