In the aftermath of Chelsea’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Burnley, Jeff Stelling didn’t hold back, branding one particular moment as an “absolute disgrace” and suggesting that the Blues narrowly escaped defeat.
While Cole Palmer notched a brace for Chelsea, Burnley’s Josh Cullen and Dara O’Shea responded with goals of their own, clinching a hard-fought point for the Clarets at Stamford Bridge.
The controversy ignited with Palmer’s opener from the penalty spot, stemming from Lorenz Assignon’s challenge on Mykhailo Mudryk. The decision left pundits and fans divided, with some questioning the validity of the penalty call.
Assignon’s subsequent dismissal, reducing Burnley to 10 men, only added fuel to the fire, prompting a furious reaction from their manager, Vincent Kompany, who found himself banished to the stands.
Expressing his frustration, Stelling minced no words, lambasting the refereeing decision as one of the worst he’s witnessed in his lifetime. The contentious call not only altered the course of the match but also raised questions about the effectiveness of VAR, with Stelling lamenting the apparent failure of the video assistant referee to intervene and rectify the situation.
In Stelling’s eyes, Chelsea’s fortunes hung by a thread, as they narrowly avoided what could have been a damaging defeat. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the pivotal role officiating can play in the outcome of a match, leaving fans and pundits alike clamoring for greater accountability and consistency in refereeing decisions.
