Chelsea 2 (Giroud 15, Alonso 48) v Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Rudiger o.g. 89) played Saturday 22 February 2020 at Stamford Bridge, attendance 40,608.
There was no battle this time at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea easily overcame Spurs, and only 1 booking for the home team and 2 for the visitors one being for the player involved in a very dramatic skirmish but for a later offence! The football first with Chelsea’s skilful and mobile front 3 of Mount, Giroud and Barkley combining to provide Olivier Giroud’s early goal. The same 3 early in the second half, usually a Spurs weak time, set up Marcos Alonso for a trademark powerful shot for Chelsea’s second. Spurs pulled one back through an Antonio Rudiger own goal, but some credit should go to Spurs’ Erik Lamela for his run and shot.
Now the drama which overshadowed any football at least in the broadcast I heard, the TV highlights I saw, and newspaper pictures and reports I have seen and read. This was the incident in which Spurs’ midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who is perhaps surprising people by being more combative than his size would suggest, put his right foot down on the right leg of the Chelsea Captain Cesar Azpilicueta, as he Lo Celso came away with the ball from one tackle and the home defender slide in with another. Did the Referee on the pitch blow for a foul? Did the Referee’s Assistant (formerly Linesman) flag one? Who asked the Video Assistance Referee (V.A.R.) for assistance? That opinion, based on a remote person’s interpretation of events, came back that Lo Celso stood on the defender’s leg since there was no where else to go if he was to remain standing, and no red card. This incensed the broadcasters and pundits in the radio and TV studios, and Chelsea Manager Frank Lampard on the touchline, who saw this as a stamp and a clear red card offence. The V.A.R. opinion was again pilloried, and an apology for a mistake soon issued by the Referees’ official body the PGMOL (Professional Games Match Officials Limited).
This is wrong, and shameful of the media to put the Refereeing body in such a position. Any technological aid, be it goal line or other video replay, should be there to assist the Match Day Officials in making decisions based on the facts. The Referee’s decision must be final. Most Managers and players accept that over a season one decision against them is cancelled out by another for them. That’s what football is all about.
Until next time, enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.