LONDON – Mauricio Pochettino claimed the video assistant referee (VAR) has damaged the English Premier League after Chelsea had a late goal controversially disallowed in their dramatic 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on April 27.
Pochettino’s side trailed to Marc Cucurella’s early own goal and a Morgan Rogers strike before half-time at Villa Park.
Rather than capitulate as they did in the humiliating 5-0 loss at Arsenal on April 23, the Blues dug deep to rescue a gritty point thanks to goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher.
Chelsea thought they had won it deep into stoppage time when Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen turned Axel Disasi’s effort into his own net. However, to Pochettino’s fury, the goal was disallowed for a Benoit Badiashile foul.
“The referee is unbelievable and it’s ridiculous. It is difficult to accept,” Pochettino said.
“They didn’t see a foul on the pitch and then VAR changed the decision of the referee. For me, that was a normal challenge.
“It is painful as it has damaged English football. Villa’s players and their fans didn’t understand why the goal was disallowed.
“For me it damaged a little bit the Premier League. If we want to be the best league in the world, it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision.”
Madueke added: “Should it have been three points? Yes. Do I think the goal should have stood? Yes. Nothing else to say about the situation.”
Despite the draw, Villa still hold an edge over Tottenham Hotspur in the battle for a Champions League spot, after the London side lost 3-2 to leaders Arsenal on April 28.
Villa are seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, who still have two games in hand, but face Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in their remaining games.
Although Villa, who last finished as high as fourth in 1995-96, remain favourites to clinch the Champions League berth, they might still feel a little nervous.
“We wanted to play Europa League last year and now we have a new challenge which is to play Champions League,” said Villa boss Unai Emery.
“Chelsea today showed the power. But to draw at the end is a very good result. I want more, of course.”
Under-fire Pochettino reportedly retains the backing of Chelsea’s ninth-placed squad – assembled for over £1 billion (S$1.7 billion) – despite a difficult campaign that included an FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City on April 20.
Said Madueke: “We need to play better at times in phases of the game. We have an abundance of quality and when we fire we’re a match for any team.
“The last game was terrible. For 70 minutes today the team were outstanding.
“It’s a process. I’m proud of the team today.
“We beat them here earlier in the season as well. We wanted to come here and win but it wasn’t to be.” AFP
