Fans say ‘lucky there’s no VAR’ as Chelsea denied penalty despite Ben Chilwell taking ‘Superman punch’ in Boro showdown
CHELSEA fans were up in arms at the lack of VAR in the Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Middlesbrough.
Ben Chilwell made a brilliant run forward and was expertly picked out by a long Thiago Silva pass over the top of the Middlesbrough defence.
Chilwell – who was making his first start since September – leapt and met the ball with his head before being clattered by Tom Glover in goal.
The ball drifted just wide but Chelsea fans were left raging that no foul was given on the keeper.
If this was a Premier League game, that decision would have been looked at by the VAR.
But this game has no VAR after the four semi-final clubs agreed not to use it despite having the option to.
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Middlesbrough do not have VAR technology available at the Riverside Stadium and the decision was made to abandon it in both ties in order to “maintain fairness and consistency” within the cup competition.
That reasoning will not have appeased Chelsea fans, though, who were outraged at the lack of a penalty.
Mykhailo Mudryk was also fuming and was booked for complaining at the lack of decision.
One fan wrote on X: “Mykhailo Mudryk for appealing for a penalty to the referee, after Ben Chilwell received a superman punch from Tom Glover.”
Another added: “Goalkeepers are so overly protected. Boro’s GK doesn’t even get a fingernail on the ball.
“That impedes Chilwell from heading the ball the way he wants. That’s a penalty.”
And one said: “Goalkeeper doesn’t get the ball and fouls Chilwell who won a clear header (was definitely onside).
“Very lucky there is no VAR.”
The decision did not appear to haunt the Blues, however, as they quickly went in front at Stamford Bridge.
It was more marauding play from Chilwell who latched onto a loose pass, drove forward and then brilliantly played Raheem Sterling through on goal.
Sterling then cut back for Armando Broja, who appeared to finish but the ball was turned into the net by Boro captain Jonny Howson.
Ten minutes later and the Blues scored again, this time it was Enzo Fernandez finishing from close range after good work down the right from Sterling and Axel Disasi.
Disasi then had a goal of his own after nicking the ball in midfield and bursting forward to latch onto a Raheem Sterling cut-back.
There was yet more misery to come for Middlesbrough before half-time – attempting to play out from the back, Dan Barlaser slipped and had his pocket picked by Cole Palmer.
Unlike in the first leg, Palmer was able to finish his chance and make it 4-0.
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