Full-scale of ref Anthony Taylor’s blunders during Chelsea vs Man Utd clash emerge with FOUR of five big decisions wrong

VAR was at the centre of another storm after Manchester United’s win at Chelsea on Monday night.

Blues boss Frank Lampard fumed at the series of big calls that went against his team.

Ref Taylor found himself at the centre of a number of controversial calls during Man Utd’s clash at ChelseaCredit: EPA

Lampard was convinced Harry Maguire should have been red-carded and that Kurt Zouma’s “equaliser” was wrongly disallowed.

But there were three other contentious decisions by either ref Anthony Taylor or VAR official Chris Kavanagh.

SunSport looks at the five calls and decides whether Chelsea were let down.

21 mins

Harry Maguire and Michy Batshuayi chase the ball over the touchline next to the Chelsea dug-out. Maguire has his left foot out but then extends his right and plants it firmly in Batshuayi’s groin.

Taylor does not see incident and Kavanagh VAR check rules no red card.

Maguire should have seen red for this on BatshuayiCredit: Sky Sports

SUNSPORT VERDICT: Poor call by Kavanagh. Maguire should have been sent off for violent conduct

35 mins

Willian goes down under a challenge from Bruno Fernandes on the very edge of the United box. Chelsea want a penalty but Taylor gives a free-kick to United and books the Brazilian for diving.

SUNSPORT VERDICT: Taylor got it wrong. Willian did not dive and was fouled. It should have been a free-kick for Chelsea. But VAR can only check to see if the incident was inside the box.

It was not, so therefore Kavanagh cannot tell Taylor he has made a mistake. VAR only allowed to intervene on “match-changing decisions” resulting in penalties, goals, red cards or mistaken identity.

Willian was booked for diving even though he appeared to be clipped by FernandesCredit: Sky Sports

54 mins

Batshuayi adjudged to have handled even though he could not get out of the way of the ball from such close range.

Ball falls to Mason Mount who shoots as the whistle is blown. David De Gea turns ball against the post and Batshuayi slots home the rebound.

SUNSPORT VERDICT: Taylor blew prematurely. It was not handball by Batshuayi because he made no attempt to handle.

Had Mount then scored directly, that goal would have been ruled out because of the accidental handball.

But because Mount shot was saved, the goal would have been awarded had Taylor not already blown. United will argue their defenders would have reacted if the ball was still live, though.

Taylor blew prematurely for what he believed to be a Batshuayi handballCredit: Sky Sports

56 mins

Zouma slams home from a Chelsea corner. Taylor awards the goal but Kavangh’s required check determines Cesar Azpilicueta had pushed Brandon Williams as the ball came across and the goal is disallowed.

SUNSPORT VERDICT: Mistake by Kavanagh. Azpilicueta only shoved Williams because he was pushed into the United man by Fred.

The Chelsea player had two hands out but that was a brace against the impact forced by the United player. If there was a foul, it was by Fred, but the goal was scored so that means the penalty would not be given. Zouma’s goal should have counted.

Azpilicueta’s accidental nudge on Williams led to Zouma’s goal being disallowed

77 mins

Oliver Giroud swoops to turn home Mount’s cross. The goal is awarded but Kavanagh’s VAR check finds the French striker was eight inches offside when the ball came in.

SUNSPORT VERDICT: Correct decision. Giroud is narrowly offside and the goal was rightly disallowed.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk