“If that wasn’t a foul, I don’t know what was!” - Aston Villa star speaks out on controversial disallowed Chelsea goal
Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos has spoken about Chelsea's final goal of their 2-2 draw, which was controversially disallowed in added time.
Villa were looking ready to go nine points in front of Tottenham Hotpsur with a win in front of their home fans, as they look to keep their top-four slot safe. They started the game well, to the delight of the home crowd, as they scored two goals before half-time to take the lead.
Chelsea clearly had better ball possession, but they were not as clinical as they could be, ending the first half goalless. However, the Blues put their hearts into the second half to find two goals and equalize the game. An impressive curler from Conor Gallagher and a sharp finish from Noni Madueke were enough to silence the crowd.
Late in stoppage time, Chelsea found a third goal against all odds as Axel Disasi powered a header in. However, in the build-up to the goal, there was late drama as Benoit Badiashile was deemed to have pushed Diego Carlos, right before sending the cross for Disasi.
A VAR review eventually cancelled the goal, but this has raised controversy. Carlos, though, does not think there is any need for any. On Match of the Day on Instagram, he was asked (via Birmingham Mail):
"Right decision? A last-gasp Chelsea winner was ruled out because of a foul by Benoit Badiashile."
Carlos added:
"If that wasn't a foul, I don't know what was!"
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino slams decision to cancel last-gasp goal
While Diego Carlos and most Aston Villa fans will argue that Badiashile's push on him was a foul, Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino does not see it. The manager lashed out at the decision after the game had ended in a draw, telling the press that it was a clear foul.
Pochettino said (via Birmingham Mail):
"Me and you and everyone in the stadium watching the game. They didn't see a foul on the pitch and then VAR changed the decision of the referee. For me, that was a normal challenge. The decision was there and that is it."
He went on to slam VAR, adding:
"For me, it [VAR technology] has damaged a little bit the Premier League and English football. If we want to be the best league in the world, it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision. At Wembley, for handball was a penalty against Manchester City and the referee didn't check and the VAR didn't advise the referee to see the incident."
Chelsea now have to return to the drawing board ahead of their match against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on May 2.