The Premier League have explained why Eberechi Eze’s goal for Crystal Palace against Chelsea was disallowed.
Eze, who was a doubt for the match amid speculation he is set to join Tottenham, thought he had given Palace an early lead with a powerful free-kick.
Marc Cucurella was penalised on the edge of the Chelsea box for a foul on Will Hughes and Eze’s well-hit free-kick beat a flapping Robert Sanchez.
The Palace players surrounded Eze to celebrate but the goal was soon ruled out following a VAR check.
Initially it appeared as though the goal was disallowed due to Marc Guehi pushing Moises Caicedo just before Eze struck his free-kick.
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But the Premier League confirmed it was in fact because Guehi was ‘less than one metre away from the wall’ when the shot was taken.
‘After review, away number six is less than one metre away from the wall as the shot is taken,’ referee Darren England said. ‘Therefore, it’s an indirect free kick and a disallowed goal.’
The law states that ‘until the ball is in play, all opponents must remain at least 10 yards from the ball, unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts’.
When three or more players form a ‘defensive wall’, all attacking team players must remain at least one metre from the wall until the ball is played.
Chelsea set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva immediately complained to the fourth official about Guehi’s actions.
Sky Sports pundits on VAR overturning Eze goal
Ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards
‘There can’t be any complaints but it feels like VAR is anti goals. They’ve applied the laws so you’ve got to give them respect for that and for finding these little details.
‘It feels like we’ve seen this so many times with players scuffling in the wall and in the end, Guehi is just stronger. However, with the letter of the law it is the correct decision.’
Manchester United legend Roy Keane
‘Attacking teams now need to be aware of this rule. We see players in there blocking and being a nuisance all the time.
‘Guehi’s almost gone too far in being a nuisance and shoving players about. He just needed to do it a little bit.’
The Crystal Palace bench did not argue the decision but the away fans at Stamford Bridge began chanting ‘it’s not football anymore’ in reference to VAR.
Reacting to the controversial decision, ex-Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell said on BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘How many times have we seen that in the past where there’s blocking?
‘If that is the precedent set on the opening weekend it has to stay for the season.’
Before the goal was disallowed, Sidwell said: ‘That is worthy of seeing a replay. The sheer power and velocity took it past Robert Sanchez.
‘Eberechi Eze only had one thought in his head. He elected to go for power, and it went in the back of the net.’
Sky Sports commentator Chris Sutton was critical of Sanchez’s efforts and said he was fortunate to be reprieved by VAR.
‘Question marks over the Chelsea goalkeeper,’ he said. ‘He just doesn’t react until the ball is past him.
‘As a Chelsea goalkeeper you should be saving that. Remember there were questions marks over Sanchez last season as well.’
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