Chelsea handed VAR verdict after controversial Fulham decision - 'careless challenge'

Chelsea were handed a reprieve after Josh King's opening goal for Fulham was ruled out during the Premier League clash on Saturday. The Cottagers looked to have drawn first blood when the 18-year-old raced through and finished coolly.

However, in the build-up, Rodrigo Muniz and Trevoh Chalobah came together in the middle of the pitch, leaving the Chelsea defender in a heap. Robert Jones allowed play to continue before King converted, but he was instructed to go to the monitor where he took a couple of minutes to review the footage before making his decision.

The outcome left Marco Silva incensed as he was visibly angered by the decision to disallow their opener, ferociously shaking his head and remonstrating with the fourth official.

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Announcing the decision, Jones said: "After review, Fulham nine commits a careless challenge and steps on the foot of the Chelsea defender. Therefore we will disallow the goal and it's a Chelsea free-kick."

The Premier League's official match centre account followed up with: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Fulham."

"I think it was just the wording wasn't it," said TNT Sports co-commentator Lucy Ward on the broadcaster's coverage of the game of Jones' announcement.

"I completely understand, he's stood on Chalobah and completely took him out of the game but, you know, from a human point of view I am looking at Josh King and think 'he's had a goal taken away from him'."

It was an even opening 21 minutes with both sides looking to break each other down.

The west London clubs have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season as they put their record on the line at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca was forced into an early change, further adding to his injury woes and selection dilemma, as Liam Delap limped off with a hamstring injury.

The issue for the summer signing comes after news that Nicolas Jackson is on the verge of completing a move to German giants Bayern Munich on a season-long loan.

Fulham were winners in this fixture last season at Stamford Bridge after Muniz's 95th-minute winner marked a superb late turnaround after Harry Wilson cancelled out Cole Palmer's opener eight minutes from time.

A win for Chelsea would see them move to the top of the Premier League ahead of this weekend's fixtures, which features a title race six-pointer between Liverpool and Arsenal.

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