More stories

  • in

    Raging Antonio Conte storms out of Spurs press conference after ONE question after VAR rules out late Harry Kane winner

    FUMING Antonio Conte launched a scathing attack on VAR for “damaging football” – and being biased against Tottenham.Harry Kane sparked wild celebrations with a 95th-minute “winner” which would have sealed Spurs’ last-16 Champions League spot.
    Antonio Conte was too ‘upset’ to continue his press conference beyond two minutes
    Ref Danny Makkelie showed Spurs chief Antonio Conte the red card for protesting at Harry Kane’s stoppage-time goal being disallowedCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    But after a FOUR-MINUTE review, Dutch VAR Pol van Boekel told his compatriot ref Danny Makkelie to disallow it for offside.
    Tottenham boss Conte was sent off as he furiously protested, while raging fans booed the officials.
    The Italian later stormed out of a press conference after just one question as he blasted: “I don’t see honesty.”
    He went on to say: “VAR is doing a lot of damage.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    “I want to see if, in another stadium of a big team, they are ready to disallow this type of goal. I’d like to know this.
    “I feel a lot of injustice. I don’t like this type of situation. I see no positive things.
    “I would like to see if VAR is so brave enough to make an unfair decision.
    “This decision creates a big damage to the club.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    “I don’t see honesty…I’m REALLY upset! ” 😡Antonio Conte left fuming at VAR decision and leaves press conference after one question 😳pic.twitter.com/4YFr0OFGtu— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 26, 2022

    “I hope the club understands this and they speak with the people they have to speak with.
    “The club has to be strong, otherwise it is only the manager speaking. It creates big, big damage.”
    Emerson Royal headed the ball against a Sporting defender in the build-up but VAR Van Boekel deemed Kane to be ahead of the ball.
    Even the official VAR photo looked inconclusive.
    Now, Tottenham still need a point at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome next Thursday to progress into the knockout stage.
    Conte added: “The ball was in front of Kane and the goal is a goal.
    “I don’t understand the line they put. It is very difficult to comment on this decision.
    “I don’t comment on the referee’s decision but the VAR this season in between Prem and Champions League, we are unlucky.
    Goal should have stood, says Mark HalseyDUTCH VAR Pol van Boekel’s controversial decision to rule out Harry Kane’s late would-be winner for offside was very, very tight.
    The fact the ball deflected off Sporting defender Flavio Nazinho before it reached Kane is irrelevant because it was not a deliberate play.
    Secondly, the fact the ball went backwards off Emerson Royal’s head before it reached Kane does not matter either, the direction of the ball never does.
    It is whether Kane was closer to the goal line than the ball and the second-most rear defender when it was played.
    If Kane was judged to have been behind the ball, he would have been onside.
    Technology isn’t foolproof and can we say Kane was definitely in front of the ball when Royal headed it? I’m not sure.
    It took around four minutes to check and if it is taking that long we shouldn’t be disallowing goals like that.
    It was very difficult to tell if Kane was a toenail in front or behind the ball.
    If that’s what the VAR is looking for and it takes four minutes, you can find whatever you want to find. 

    “We are only the team that has repeated a penalty.
    “And every penalty I go to see if the keeper moves on the line and then I see it a lot of time.
    “I want to see a repeat of penalties in the Prem. We are not so lucky with VAR. I think they create a big damage.”
    Heartbroken Kane added: “I don’t really know what to say to be honest I’m just absolutely gutted it ended like that and not with a win.
    “To take the positives we showed great fighting spirit and it’s all in our hands for the final group game.”
    While team-mate Matt Doherty added: “You can see from the celebrations we thought we won it.
    “I don’t know what happened at the end.
    “I thought because the ball went backwards and hit a defender it was a different phase of play. I’ll have to look at the rule book.
    “A few of us don’t have a clue what happened.”
    The late mayhem came after Rodrigo Bentancur cancelled out Marcus Edwards’ opener against his old side.
    Conte is the only man sent off in both the Prem and the Champions League this season.
    Read More on The Sun
    But he claimed he was given the red card only because he was the most famous person on the pitch!
    He added: “All the people come inside (the pitch) after the decision to disallow the goal and then they came to give me the red card, maybe because I was the more popular person on the pitch.” More

  • in

    West Ham 2 Bournemouth 0: Watch Zouma’s ‘volleyball’ opener as VAR lets goal stand after calls for handball in build-up

    KURT ZOUMA scored his first goal since THAT shameful cat-kicking video as West Ham benefited from two PURR-fect VAR calls.In the summer, the controversial Frenchman was sentenced to 180 hours of community service after pleading guilty to kicking and slapping a fragile feline in a social-media post that went viral.

    Kurt Zouma nodded in a fortuitous goal to put West Ham into the leadCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Zouma scored a dubious goal which had Bournemouth players incredulousCredit: Getty
    The opener was contentious as West Ham defender Thilo Kehrer appeared to handle the ballCredit: Sky Sports Premier League
    Kehrer seemed to suggest the ball hit his chest – Bournemouth disagreedCredit: Sky Sports Premier League
    Though he stole the headlines last night for the right reasons, the Hammers defender had a nervous wait to find out if his goal against Bournemouth would stand – as the visitors complained about a ‘volleyball-style’ handball in the build-up.
    But having recently chastened Stockley Park officials – he said they should have gone to Specsavers – boss David Moyes was grateful they did not cave into the Cherries protestations.
    The usually-beleaguered men in front of the TV screens rightly agreed with the on-field decision by referee David Coote – and even gave West Ham a late spot-kick for handball.
    This hard-fought result means West Ham lie in tenth place now, having risen SEVEN places in a congested table.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    And reaching their highest position in this stop-start campaign will ease any anxieties there may have been about their previous close proximity to the bottom three.
    Under the tutelage of interim boss Gary O’Neil – who played in midfield in West Ham’s promotion-winning season a decade ago – Bournemouth have become a hard side to defeat.
    It is all a far cry from the 9-0 annihilation at Liverpool – a record Prem loss – in late August which left Scott Parker’s job untenable.
    Since coming in, O’Neill has witnessed three Premier League managers get sacked, two Monarchs sit on the Buckingham Palace throne and three Prime Ministers take up office.
    Most read in Sport
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    What O’Neill has done impressively in his time in the South Coast hot seat is tighten up a leaky defence, particularly on their travels.
    It was clear from the beginning that Bournemouth came here with the sole purpose to counter-attack and frustrate the opposition front line.
    And until he came off with an injury, their centre forward Dominic Solanke had two chances to score on the break for the visitors but was both times stopped by West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
    Down the other end, two brilliant saves in three first-half minutes from Brazilian goalkeeper Neto thwarted the claret-and-blue troops.
    One was a fine fingertip save to turn over a thunderous strike from Aaron Cresswell.
    The next was a solid block from Tomas Soucek from close range even though Gianluca Scamacca was flagged offside in the build-up.
    The West Ham opener arrived shortly before half-time – to great relief around the London Stadium – but Bournemouth stars marched straight to the ref because the Jarrod Bowen corner struck the hands of Thilo Kehrer.
    In the midst of the pinball shenanigans in the Bournemouth box it was Zouma who applied the final touch.
    Said Benrahma wrapped up the points from the penalty spotCredit: Getty
    The goal was no more than Benrahma deserved for an energetic performanceCredit: Getty
    VAR was needed for the second goal too as West Ham bagged the three pointsCredit: Sky Sports Premier League
    And once VAR correctly ruled in West Ham’s favour – it was not deliberate and did not lead directly to the goal – the French defender celebrated for the first time since scoring against Liverpool in November 2021.
    While the poor cat felt the full force of his boot, ten of his 11 Prem goals have now come via his head.
    O’Neil was furious and received a yellow card during the break when he told Coote: “That’s a handball, that’s a fact.”
    For the second half, Neto did not reappear, having pulled a muscle in his right leg in innocuous fashion as he hoofed upfield a clearance.
    In his place came Mark Travers – his last appearance was THAT Anfield mauling – and he was tested on the hour mark by Declan Rice’s chested volley from distance.
    Bournemouth made some subs in the second half and gave the home side a few scares with some forays forward.
    Read More on The Sun
    But Bournemouth substitute Jordan Zemura had his head in his hands when a penalty was awarded against him for handball in stoppage-time from a Vladimir Coufal cross following VAR intervention.
    Said Benrahma, who took over the duties from Bowen, did not miss from 12 yards as Moyes’s team won for the fifth time at home in all competitions, a record since the days they used to play at Upton Park.
    Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neill was fuming at both goals been given against his teamCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    David Moyes was delighted with his side’s performance in a solid home winCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

  • in

    What Pep Guardiola said to Mo Salah after hot-tempered Liverpool win over Man City revealed by lip reader

    RIVALS Mohamed Salah and Pep Guardiola were spotted in discussion just after Liverpool’s thrilling 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.And a professional lip reader reckons they spoke about one of the controversial refereeing decisions from the game.
    Pep Guardiola and Mohamed Salah spoke to each other at full-timeCredit: Reuters
    Salah scored the winning goal in a thrilling encounter at AnfieldCredit: PA
    Salah and Guardiola sportingly shook hands after the high-octane encounter, which was settled by a strike from the Egyptian King.
    They also had a quick chat, which led to speculation from fans what they could be talking about.
    Liverpool ace Salah, 30, covered his mouth as he spoke while City boss Guardiola, 51, talked openly.
    Professional lip reader John Cassidy has analysed their interaction, and while Salah’s words remain a mystery, he believes he has broken down what Guardiola said.
    Read More In Football
    Via the Mirror, Cassidy reckons Guardiola said to Salah: “Have a good season, good game, you too, what’s up?
    Guardiola was then hidden behind Salah momentarily.
    But when his mouth came back into shot, Cassidy believes he continued: “There’s no doubt about it, not maybe – definite. It’s definite, definite.”
    The Spanish gaffer could have been talking about Phil Foden’s disallowed goal.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    City believed they had taken the lead when Foden found the back of the net, only for VAR to rule it out for an Erling Haaland foul on Fabinho in the build up to the goal.
    Guardiola was left fuming by the decision, and told Sky Sports after the game: “The referee came to the coaches [before the game] and said play on, play on.
    “There were a million fouls. But after we scored a goal, he decided it is not play on. This is Anfield.”
    Meanwhile, some fans are convinced Salah HANDLED the ball seconds before scoring the winning goal.
    New camera angles appear to raise questions about whether the ball lightly touched Salah’s arm, which under current rules would mean the goal should not have stood.
    Salah netted the winner after spinning away from Joao CanceloCredit: Getty More

  • in

    40-minute waits for VAR, live TV blackouts on a Sunday… will the Premier League EVER think of the fans?

    AT Elland Road, a crowd of 36,700 waited for 40 minutes after a ‘power surge’ cut communication between ref Chris Kavanagh and his VAR overlords.It wouldn’t be entirely true to suggest that supporters of Leeds and Arsenal waited patiently on Sunday.
    The game at Elland Road was delayed after a power cut issue before the gameCredit: Getty
    There were chants of ‘F*** VAR’ and much mockery at the whole charade playing out before them.
    First players had a kickabout to keep warm, then headed back to the dressing rooms, then re-emerged and warmed up again before Mikel Arteta — perhaps too fond of watching himself on Arsenal’s Amazon documentary series — held a public team-talk on the pitch.
    There is nothing more worthy for anyone to shout at any sporting contest than the words: “GET ON WITH IT!”
    The vast majority of supporters would have mentioned that we had somehow managed to stage football matches for a century and a half without VAR — and that this still occurs at every level of the English game other than the Premier League.
    READ MORE ARSENAL NEWS
    Those who paid good money and travelled on this nation’s creaking transport network to watch the match live would have been happy to carry on regardless without decision-making technology.
    They could have lived without the thrilling prospect of seeing Kavanagh with his hand to his earpiece, travelling to his ‘referee review area’ to consult his monitor, while they were of course unable to rewatch any contentious decisions themselves.
    Most paying punters hate VAR, a system which means they never know whether they can safely celebrate goals — and also leaves them knowing far less about what is going on than any armchair fan.
    And on Sunday, those armchair fans able to watch Leeds v Arsenal live would have been in the United States, Australia, Canada, India and several other nations, but not in the UK.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    Supporters of Leeds or Arsenal who couldn’t get a ticket had to rely on radio commentary or illegal  streams. This is a bizarre anachronism.
    While anyone who cares about the football pyramid understands the Saturday 3pm blackout on live coverage, why the limit on broadcasting games on congested Sundays?
    This Sunday, four Premier League matches kicked off at 2pm, including Leeds v Arsenal and Manchester United v Newcastle — four of England’s best-supported clubs — yet only Aston Villa v Chelsea was screened live. It will be the same next Sunday.
    This nonsense is in the interests of no one and now feels like something from a previous century, as with BBC news readers telling you to, ‘Look away now,’ when the results come on before Match of the Day. It cannot last.
    But then genuine supporters — whether at the ground, or unable to be — are the last people on anyone’s minds.
    It was TV companies and their pundits who campaigned hardest for VAR, along with many managers and players who clearly had not fully thought through the concept of making these subjective decisions on the basis of endless slow-motion replays.
    Manchester United fans in the UK could not watch Cristiano Ronaldo and co play Newcastle on Sunday on live TVCredit: Reuters
    And then there is the fact that VAR, like any other technology, is subject to gremlins — as highlighted at Elland Road.
    There are no time frames in the Premier League’s rules as to how long such a delay could have lasted.
    But had the power cut continued, at some unspecified point, Leeds v Arsenal would have been restarted without VAR, rather than been postponed or abandoned.
    The counter-argument is that playing one, or more, fixtures without VAR would compromise the ‘integrity’ of the competition.Which would only be a reasonable point if VAR was any good.
    Arteta ended up delighted that VAR had been restored because Leeds had an injury-time penalty award overturned in Stockley Park.After his team’s 1-0 win, the Arsenal boss claimed the long wait was worthwhile.
    But we all know that shocking decisions can be made with or without VAR.
    And the hopeless Kavanagh proved this by awarding two West Ham goals courtesy of handballs against Fulham the previous Sunday.The introduction of VAR was supposed to be a giant technological leap forward.
    But those kicking their heels inside Elland Road for 40 minutes — and who might have waited considerably longer — certainly didn’t feel as if they were experiencing some vision of a glorious, sunlit future. More

  • in

    Moyes labels ref ‘ridiculous’ & says VAR official ‘should have gone to Specsavers’ after West Ham draw with Southampton

    RAGING David Moyes claimed VAR official Simon Hooper needs to “go to Specsavers”.And the West Ham boss said it was all “ridiculous” referee Peter Bankes’ fault that West Ham drew 1-1 at Southampton.
    David Moyes blasted VAR after seeing West Ham draw with SouthamptonCredit: Rex
    Moyes also lashed out at Peter Bankes after his role in Saints’ openerCredit: Getty
    Moyes was left seething at Romain Perraud’s opener for Saints after Bankes collided with Jarrod Bowen and stopped him from making a tackle.
    Asked whether West Ham should have won against Southampton, Moyes said: “The real reason is the referee gets in the way of the ability for us to defend.
    “The ball comes out and Jarrod Bowen goes to get the ball and the referee blocks Bowen from  getting to it and the boy scores from it. Ridiculous, it really is.
    “Wait until you see the angles and the pictures and you will soon see how terrible it is that he allows it to go on.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    “Maybe you just have to say that the referee was in a really bad position.
    “The referee’s right in his line. Jarrod can’t round the referee to get the ball.”
    Skipper Declan Rice added: “The ref was stood right in the way, but he didn’t touch the ball, so that’s why he didn’t give it. It is one of them.
    “The ref is saying he has not done anything wrong. It is a split-second decision and they have scored a goal.”
    Most read in Football

    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Later, both Bankes  and Hooper  missed a judo-style foul on Tomas  Soucek at a corner, with Moyes suggesting the VAR needed his eyes tested.
    Moyes added: “Whoever was on VAR today needs to go to Specsavers.
    “The penalty kick on Soucek is a judo move  by the player who is  marking him.
    “There must be new rules in football, which are you can grab them right around the waist and you can hold them.
    Read More on The Sun
    “Then you can put them in a judo move, where you slam them down.
    “He gets him and throws him right down, it’s unreal. It’s not the referee, it is VAR.” More

  • in

    VAR outrage for Fulham as West Ham awarded goal despite ‘blatant’ handball from Scamacca who didn’t even celebrate

    FULHAM are up in arms after West Ham were awarded a goal despite Gianluca Scamacca appearing to handle the ball.The Italian scored to put the Hammers 2-1 up and despite a check with VAR the goal stood.
    Gianluca Scamacca appeared to handle the ball in the build up to his goalCredit: Getty
    With the scores level at 1-1 Lucas Paqueta found Scamacca with a clever through ball, but the Italian seemed to use his hand to bring the ball under control.
    He did not hesitate though and beat onrushing goalkeeper Bernd Leno with a delicate chip.
    Interestingly, Scamacca did not celebrate his goal – perhaps thinking it would be ruled out.
    Leno immediately began protesting, as did defender Tim Ream, with the pair pointing to their arms to indicate a handball had been committed.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    VAR looked at the incident and examined the possible handball several times from multiple angles.
    But VAR concluded that Scamacca did not commit a handball, which sparked outrage from Fulham boss Marco Silva who received a booking for his complaints.
    Fans on social media were also in uproar at the goal being allowed to stand despite replays proving Scamacca touched the ball with his hand.
    One supporter wrote: “It’s about as blatant handball as you’re ever going to get 🤣 And the fact they checked it twice to deem it acceptable is corruption in itself.”
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    Another added: “This was a double handball. Scamacca himself knew he did something wrong.”
    And a third said: “VAR have dropped a clanger there. Clear handball by Scamacca.”
    With Fulham chasing an equaliser, Michail Antonio scored in the 91th minute to make it 3-1 to West Ham and wrap up the points.
    Fulham defender Tim Ream said after the match: “The majority of us expected Scamacca’s goal to be ruled out – Bernd Leno pointed out that is why he wasn’t celebrating. There are swings and roundabouts though, hopefully one goes in our favour.” More

  • in

    West Ham 3 Fulham 1: Hammers lucky to snatch much-needed three points after controversial VAR call for Scamacca winner

    THE PETULANCE of Andreas Pereira will be giving Marco Silva a few sleepless nights – just as much as another farcical VAR intervention.A stunning early solo effort from Fulham’s Pereira had him running into his manager’s arms – but will want to keep his distance after giving West Ham a route back into the game.
    Gianluca Scamacca kept his cool to lob Bernd Leno for the winnerCredit: Getty
    Fulham were convinced the ball brushed off his hand as he controlled itCredit: Internal Comms
    Scamacca wheeled away to celebrate after a lengthy VAR callCredit: PA
    Having been warned not once but twice to not tangle with Craig Dawson in the box at a corner, Pereira decided to tackle him to the ground as Jarrod Bowen scored from the spot.
    It was a moment that sparked the Hammers’ game into life through the brilliant Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca as they combined to give their side the lead after the break.
    Yet Silva was left pulling his hair out for a second time as VAR’s lengthy delay on a potential handball by Scamacca shows the video officials still don’t know what “clear and obvious” is.
    Not that David Moyes will care, especially after Michail Antonio wrapped things up off the bench to take advantage of some comical Cottagers defending.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    Two league wins on the bounce for the first time since January is just what the doctor ordered for a Hammers team on the up after a rocky start.
    And for the second time in a week, Moyes made nine changes to his starting line-up, having done the same for their Europa Conference League clash away at Anderlecht.
    Scamacca, Paqueta and Declan Rice came off the bench in Brussels to inspire their side to a late winner – and all three regained their places back on home soil.
    Silva made four alterations from the 4-1 humbling at the hands of Newcastle last weekend.
    Most read in Football
    Nathaniel Chalobah served his suspension following his early red card against the Toon, while Aleksandar Mitrovic missed out with a foot injury. Carlos Vinicius instead led the line.
    And while Palhinha and Antonee Robinson returned to the side, Bobby De Cordova-Reid made the drastic switch from left winger to right-back.
    But the Cottagers did not start like a side who had just shipped four goals at home, and were in front after just five minutes thanks to a sumptuous strike of their own.
    West Ham themselves began with a confidence that has been missing so far this season, and were caught with too many bodies forward as Declan Rice lost control of a ball in midfield.
    Bowen’s slip allowed Neeskens Kebano to scamper away and feed Pereira down the left with only Kurt Zouma to beat but a seemingly-impossible angle.
    The Brazilian international made a goal possible with the sweetest of hits that skimmed the face of Lukasz Fabianski and into the far top corner.
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    Soon after, Dan James stepped in off his right wing and curled a beauty on to Fabianski’s crossbar when it looked to be dipping just below it.
    But coming off the back of two wins in all competitions in five days, Moyes’ men look to be made of sterner stuff and mounted a response through the brilliant Paqueta.
    The Samba playmaker announced his £36.4m arrival from Lyon in the summer by posing atop the London Stadium – and today it appeared the pitch belonged to his magic feet.
    Andreas Pereira blasted in the opener after just five minutesCredit: Rex
    Pereira protested his innocence after giving the penalty awayCredit: Reuters
    Jarrod Bowen made no mistake from the penalty spotCredit: Getty
    Paqueta started to impose himself after 15 minutes, serving up two delicious balls into Scamacca only for the Italian to have one header saved by Bernd Leno and drag another shot wide.
    The misses aside, Moyes would have been delighted by the link-up between his two new signings – and both were involved in the build-up before they were awarded a penalty.
    Paqueta wriggled out of a tight spot and found Pablo Fornals out wide. Aaron Cresswell’s cross then picked out an unmarked Scamacca whose header again was met by Leno.
    A corner was won as Bowen’s rebound attempt was blocked, only for Pereira to begin a wrestling match with Dawson three times in the space of 20 seconds.
    It was the easiest decision of the afternoon for Kavanagh, booking Pereira – not that it stopped him complaining for the next ten minutes.
    Bowen sent Leno the wrong way to make it two goals in his last two Prem games having grabbed his first of the season last Saturday against Wolves.
    Marco Silva ranted at the fourth official as key decisions went against himCredit: PA
    Michail Antonio made it 3-1 late on to wrap up the winCredit: Getty
    West Ham made it three wins on the bounce in all competitionsCredit: Getty
    For a team that has struggled to hit the net since the back end of last year, their forward options are now in red-hot form – as Scamacca proved in the 62nd minute.
    Yet again, Paqueta was involved to loop a ball that caught out Fulham’s entire backline, allowing Scamacca to control and then lob Leno.
    His celebrations were muted, perhaps knowing he may have been offside and also brushed the ball with the knuckles on his right hand before finishing.
    VAR intervened, quickly deducing he was onside before spending an agonising near-three minutes debating whether the ball had been handled, preferring not to send Kavanagh to the monitor.
    Read More on The Sun
    With the naked eye, it was impossible to say with clarity, but Silva was booked for his animated touchline reaction to the goal finally being given.
    Antonio bundled a third home in injury time thanks to some laughable attempts to stop him, not that Silva will have a smile on his face in the coming days.
    Here’s how the drama unfolded at the London Stadium…

    Load more entries… More

  • in

    Thiago Silva escapes red card for slapping ball away just moments before setting up Chelsea goal against Crystal Palace

    FOOTBALL fans were left baffled after Thiago Silva was not sent off for a deliberate handball against Crystal Palace.The Chelsea defender put his arm out and purposely swatted the ball away from Jordan Ayew with Palace on the attack.
    Thiago Silva was not sent off for this challenge on Jordan AyewCredit: https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1576219407252324353
    Silva was shown a yellow card for his handballCredit: AFP
    The incident occurred when Silva, 38, hit the deck under a challenge from Ayew.
    He thought he should have had a free-kick, but when the whistle didn’t come he used his hand to push the ball away from Ayew’s feet.
    With the striker looking like he was through on goal, the home crowd expected Silva to be shown a red card.
    But to the dismay of Selhurst Park, referee Chris Kavanagh only brandished a yellow in Silva’s direction.
    Read More On Chelsea
    VAR did check the incident to see if Silva denied a goal scoring opportunity, but stuck with Kavanagh’s on field decision.
    Fans couldn’t believe Silva wasn’t given his march orders, with one writing on social media: “Clear red card for Thiago Silva.”
    Another said: “How has Thiago Silva stayed on. That’s the clearest red you’ll ever see and VAR checked it.”
    A third added: “That was 10000% a red on Thiago Silva.”
    Most read in Football
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    And a fourth wrote: “How did VAR look at that play and not give Thiago Silva a red?”
    Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish fumed on Twitter: “Honestly what is the point of #var we chop and change every week what it does what it thinks.
    “#Var must surely think that’s a red but not a ‘clear’ error! Even if it’s not a #dogso [denying a goal scoring opportunity] which it is He handballs it twice deliberately, one we play on so two yellows!”
    To make matters worse for Palace, Silva then got the assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equaliser.
    The veteran defender headed the ball into the striker’s path for him to slam home past Vincente Guaita.
    Earlier in the game Odsonne Edouard had scored to put the home side ahead as the Graham Potter regime continued to get off to a stuttering start. More