Sunday Fulham Stuff - 31/08/25...

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Results

Saturday 30/08
Chelsea	2-0	Fulham
Man Utd	3-2	Burnley
Sunderland	2-1	Brentford
Spurs	0-1	Bournemouth
Wolves	2-3	Everton
Leeds	0-0	Newcastle

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Chelsea 2-0 Fulham

At a glance

    Chelsea continue unbeaten start to season

    Fulham on wrong end of two controversial VAR decisions

    Joao Pedro has five goals in five starts since joining last month

    Liam Delap limps off for hosts, Alejandro Garnacho watches before completing move

Striker Joao Pedro continued his scoring streak as Chelsea benefited from controversial refereeing decisions to beat rivals Fulham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Pedro headed the opener in first-half injury time to score his fifth goal in five starts across all competitions since his £55m move from Brighton, with midfielder Enzo Fernandez scoring a second-half penalty.

However, referee Robert Jones took centre stage after making several controversial decisions.

The first ruled out Fulham midfielder Josh King's goal in the 21st minute. His team-mate Rodrigo Muniz was judged to have stepped on Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up by the video assistant referee (VAR) Michael Salisbury.

Jones confirmed the decision after viewing the pitchside monitor but there appeared to be minimal contact in what also looked a natural action by striker Muniz, while playing with his back to goal.

Joao Pedro further punished Fulham, who dominated the first 45 minutes, by scoring a header from Fernandez's corner with the final action of the half.

Fernandez then scored from the penalty spot to seal victory after Ryan Sessegnon was judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area.

It was a difficult decision for the officials but again went in Chelsea's favour as Fulham manager Marco Silva fumed at referee Jones.

Chelsea secured an important victory before the international break despite losing striker Liam Delap to a hamstring injury early in the first half.

Chelsea analysis: Joao Pedro hits ground running

Joao Pedro has made a great impact since cutting short his holiday on the beaches of his native Brazil to join Chelsea during the Club World Cup in July.

Three goals in three starts, including one in the final in New Jersey against Paris St-Germain in July, has been followed up with a great start in the Premier League.

He now has two goals and two assists in his first three league games.

In all competitions, that is five goals and a further two assists in his first five starts, becoming the first Chelsea player to score five goals or more in his first five starts since Tammy Abraham in 2019.

Joao Pedro cites similarities between manager Enzo Maresca's style of play to his former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi as a key reason behind his quick adaptation to life in west London. Of course, the forward also knows the Premier League and English football having moved to the league to join Watford in 2020.

He is already repaying the initial £55m paid to Brighton for his services over the summer.

However, there will be concern after Delap suffered a hamstring injury which Maresca says he fears could rule him out for six to eight weeks after an early assessment.

He would join star attacker Cole Palmer on the sidelines and the Blues had to play academy talent Tyrique George up front for the majority of the match.

Alternative striking option Christopher Nkunku joined AC Milan before kick-off and Nicolas Jackson is closing in on a loan move to Bayern Munich.

Fulham analysis: A case of what if for Silva's side
There were two sliding doors moments for Fulham.

One was what BBC Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy described as "the worst decision I've seen this season".

It was the baffling decision by the three officials, VAR Salisbury and his assistant Scott Ledger, that led to King's well-placed shot into the goal after an excellent counter-attack ruled out.

Fulham felt in the ascendancy and continued to play well after the decision.

But Joao Pedro's headed goal with the last touch of the first half, and Chelsea's opportunity to regroup at the interval, profoundly changed the game.

From that point, Chelsea regained control but Fulham will wonder how the match would have played out had the officials not denied them.

They could be celebrating a goal in a west London derby from an 18-year-old homegrown star - and potentially three points.

Instead they are without a win in their first three league matches and the mood is one of fury from manager Silva, who opted against criticising the officials in his post-match television interview to avoid any sanctions from the Premier League.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/czxyqddyj8wt

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Post-Chelsea Press Conference
Marco Silva was very proud of his side's first half performance at Stamford Bridge, but felt the second 45 did not match those levels.

Officiating decisions did not help the Fulham cause, on an afternoon that had the entire football community talking.

"Outstanding first half from ourselves," Silva said. "Very, very good one. We dominated all the first half. We were clearly the best team on the pitch.

"Really pleased the way we matched, and were better than, Chelsea in all the moments of that first half. Brave on the ball and made life very difficult for Chelsea to press us high, the way we knew that they were going to come.

"We always found the spare player, most of the times that was Alex Iwobi, and we built many good moments in our offensive organisation. Off the ball, brave, finding the right moments to press them high or to be more compact.

"And was a very good first half that didn't end in the way we wanted, with the goal conceded. Second half, we didn't perform at the same level.

"Of course, players, they are human beings and have emotions, even if I told them at half-time to try to be as balanced and have emotional control, to focus just on our job to play football, to try to be better in the opposition side.

"[But it's] very difficult after the second decision – completely unbelievable for that penalty – for them to keep the same principles that we want to keep. But my job is to try to convince them that we have to do it.

"We performed so well first half, we should keep the same type of performance, even if all the circumstances come against us and make the life difficult for ourselves.

"Very proud. The first half, very, very proud, and that has to be our image, and we have to move on."

Naturally, the VAR decisions were journalists' main interest in the post-match press conference.

Josh King thought he'd scored a beautiful maiden goal in senior football, only for referee Rob Jones to disallow it because of a "careless challenge" from Rodrigo Muniz.

Chelsea then took the lead as the clock approached a 10th minute of first half stoppage time, before they were awarded a penalty in spite of a number of incidents which go our way on another day.

"Unbelievable decision, unbelievable," Silva said of King's disallowed effort. "But I think throughout the game, you have many decisions to talk about.

"Eight minutes of extra-time [were added], and I accept [that], because if it's for me, for Fulham, I want to see if I could get the corner in the eight minutes of extra-time. And when the officials gave eight minutes, I would like to have the chance to have that corner.

"But after the second corner, it's already nine minutes of extra-time. The referee didn't stop the game. I don't understand, the game should be stopped after the first corner and not give the chance for Chelsea to have the second corner.

"Yes, we should defend better, it's my job to work with my players, but the game should be stopped in that moment.

"And after, of course, the penalty. Yes, it's handball from [Ryan] Sess, definitely it's handball, but before that moment, you can find easily two, three fouls for ourselves.

"Our players went to the screen with the referee, they should not, but they went there to the screen, and they were laughing because they were seeing the same images as the referee.

"Stamp on Alex Iwobi, handball from Joao Pedro, and the pushing on Joachim [Andersen], and nothing comes from the VAR.

"They saw the penalty after three moments where at least they have to see two fouls for us. And it's the same VAR that in the first half found something unbelievable like almost a stamp from Rodrigo, and the same people didn't see a stamp on Alex Iwobi in that penalty.

"What can I tell you? I cannot tell you nothing more, because I don't understand the direction that it's going."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2025/august/30/post-chelsea-press-conference/

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Fulham 'interested in Lee Kang-in'
This morning's edition of the French sports daily L'Equipe links Fulham with an interest in the Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in, who is reportedly considering his options at the tail end of the summer transfer window.

PSG's stated position is that the South Korean international is not for sale. Indeed, L'Equipe says that they have turned down a £51.9m bid from Nottingham Forest for the versatile 24 year-old, who can play in the number ten role or out wide. Forest are apparently open to upping their offer for the former Mallorca and Valencia star, but it remains to be seen if PSG will become more open to Kang-in's departure as the deadline inches closer.

Fulham are credited with an interest in Kang-in alongside Serie A sides AC Milan and Napoli, according to the paper's report.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/08/fulham-interested-in-lee-kang-in/

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Marco Silva launched into a rant at VAR after Fulham had a goal controversially ruled out in their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Teenager Josh King thought he had opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge, calmly finishing off a stunning breakaway move inside the opening 22 minutes.

However, referee Rob Jones was quickly sent to the monitor by Michael Salisbury, the video assistant referee, to review a possible foul in the build-up.

Cottagers striker Rodrigo Muniz got away from Trevoh Chalobah with a pirouette and stepped on the Blues defender's foot in the process.

After a few replays of the incident, Jones then turned to announce his decision to the fans inside Stamford Bridge.

He explained: "After review, Fulham No.9 commits a careless challenge, stands on the foot of the Chelsea defender, therefore we disallow the goal and we restart with a Chelsea free kick.

"There would be no further action."

It sparked a furious reaction from Fulham manager Marco Silva on the touchline after the foul.

That continued at half time as Silva waited for Jones to exit the pitch to vent his anger during the 2-0 defeat for his side.

And after the game, the Cottagers boss took aim at VAR and the officials as he launched into a rant live on talkSPORT.

He said: "I'm 100% sure that all of you guys and people in studio and everybody...what I say now will not may any difference.

"It can put me in trouble, I don't want to be. I like to speak open about football but I'm not in a good mood.

"I respect you and your questions, but I've spoken enough already.

"Everyone is shocked, everybody that is looking at that moment is shocked, our players are shocked.

"A dream moment for a young lad, 18 years old, that is playing at a high level and showing his quality, the biggest moment to play the first debut against Chelsea as a senior player in a Fulham shirt.

"A great goal from him, great finish, and now it goes on and we have to explain why the goal was disallowed but I don't have the conditions I can show to him.

"He's going to understand that football is sometimes not fair. In his career, he's going to understand that what looks obvious and looks a fair decision will not go in his direction.

"It's a good thing for Josh to understand that football sometimes isn't fair...it was unbelievably unfair with our team."

Silva was then asked whether he had spoken to the referee or will be contacting the PGMOL after the incident.

To which, he replied: "Why [would I speak to the referee and PGMOL]?

"It wouldn't make any difference. We were waiting for something from them last week because something happened in both boxes against Man United, similar things.

"We didn't receive anything, we didn't receive an explanation.

"I think I would not be myself to go there. I will not do it."

England legend Stuart Pearce was among the many watching who agreed with Silva that the VAR decision was incorrect.



https://talksport.com/football/3514509/marco-silva-fulham-chelsea-var-rant-controversy/

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Marco Silva had complained about Chelsea referee Rob Jones last season before controversial Fulham VAR call
Fulham were on the end of a controversial refereeing decision in their Premier League clash vs Chelsea when youngster Josh King saw his goal disallowed in the first half.

King thought he had given Fulham the lead with a solo finish on the break, but referee Rob Jones disallowed the strike after reviewing a challenge from Rodrigo Muniz in the build-up.

Muniz was attempting to shield the ball in the middle from Trevoh Chalobah, accidentally putting his boot down on the Chelsea defender's foot. Muniz actually lost control of the ball, with Marc Cucurella's attempted clearance falling to Sander Berge to set King free into the Chelsea half.

Jones reviewed the tackle and deemed it a 'careless' foul from Muniz, ruling the goal out, prompting a furious reaction from Fulham boss Marco Silva on the touchline – and the two have previous tensions from last season.

Marco Silva complained to PGMOL about referee Rob Jones last season after accusing him of favouring Aston Villa
After Fulham's 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in May, Silva took the rare approach of publicly criticising Rob Jones having seen five of his players booked in the clash.

Silva was also booked, triggering a one-match suspension, and he did not hold back after the game. "It was just yellow cards for Fulham," he told TNT Sports.

"It was not just one or two, even at the end of the game, another yellow card for Fulham Football Club. It's very difficult for us to understand.

"It's been difficult for us to have some explanations for Rob Jones. It's the fifth time with us this season and we all know what's happened. It was so easy, the yellow cards for Fulham this afternoon."

Marco Silva previously said Rob Jones was 'not at the standard' after Fulham game last season
In another incident earlier last season, Fulham complained to PGMOL about Jones' officiating. Following a defeat to Crystal Palace in February, Silva again took aim at Jones, saying: "I'm the first to criticise ourselves... I can congratulate Palace but I can't for the referee at all, it's clear he was not at the standard.

"The performance from the referee was not at the level. It was not a good performance from us, not a good performance from the referee as well and all these details make it more difficult for us."

Against Chelsea on Saturday, Silva was clearly furious at the VAR review into King's goal, making his case to the fourth official. And when Jones announced his decision to rule the goal out, Silva could only offer a wry smile.

Silva waited for Jones as Fulham went into half-time behind due to Joao Pedro's goal, with the official instructing Silva to walk down the tunnel rather than approach him.

In his career, Jones has officiated 17 Fulham games, with only three wins for the Cottagers. In those games, he has issued 34 yellow cards and no red cards to Fulham, who were on a five-game winless run in games in which Jones was the referee, prior to the Chelsea clash.



https://tbrfootball.com/marco-silva-had-already-complained-about-chelsea-referee-rob-jones-before-controversial-fulham-var-call/

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'How you disallow that is unbelievable' - Why was Fulham goal ruled out?
Fulham manager Marco Silva says he finds it "unbelievable" that Josh King's opening goal for his side was disallowed during their 2-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

King, 18, had the ball in the back of net only 22 minutes into the game only for it to be chalked off following a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) intervention for a foul by Rodrigo Muniz in the build-up.

Chelsea went on to win the game through a Joao Pedro header and an Enzo Fernandez penalty, that came after another contentious VAR decision that went against the visitors and left Silva fuming.

"How you disallow a goal like that is unbelievable," Silva told TNT Sports after the game, which left Fulham winless three rounds into the new Premier League season.

"We have meetings with referee and people in charge, we all want to win. VAR is not here to re-referee the game.

"I would prefer not to say something more because I would be punished. I want to be on the touchline next week to help my team, I don't want to be fined.

"But it has been a difficult start to the season with some decisions."

The derby defeat follows back-to-back draws against Brighton and Manchester United for Silva's side, who finished 11th last season.

King's goal was ruled out after a lengthy review by VAR Michael Salisbury that was confirmed by referee Robert Jones after looking at the pitchside monitor, meaning eight minutes were added on at the end of the first half.

Adding to Fulham's woes, nine minutes into first-half injury time Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead.

"I would love to explain many things," the Portuguese manager said.

"The first goal - eight minutes extra time. After the first corner it was already nine minutes. It is time to stop the game. That is the rules.

"I asked the referee and he said because we lost time. But I checked the eight minutes. The game didn't stop.

"It's very difficult. I make mistakes, the referee makes mistakes, but when it is black or white, we cannot see something that is not there.

It was the second game running that Fulham have felt hard done by with refereeing decisions.

Silva and defender Calvin Bassey were adamant Manchester United's opener in the 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage last week should have been ruled out for a push by Leny Yoro in the build-up.

Yoro appeared to have two hands in the back of Bassey as he met a United corner, before forcing a Muniz own goal, but VAR Darren England approved the goal after a brief check.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, meanwhile, was adamant the referees made the right decisions in Saturday's game.

"The foul is a foul and the penalty is a penalty," the Italian said.

"For me, it's quite clear. If I had some doubt, I would say. But it's quite clear that the foul is foul and the other one is simple."

Why was King's goal disallowed?
Silva's frustrations stemmed mainly from the disallowed goal that would have put the Cottagers ahead early in west London.

Teenager King was played through and did well to produce a smart finish to beat goalkeeper Robert Sanchez only for his first Premier League goal to be disallowed.

The Cottagers had won the ball just outside their box and broke forward quickly only for their celebrations to be cut short by referee's contentious decision.

"After review, the Fulham number nine commits a careless challenge, stands on the foot of the Chelsea defender, therefore we disallow the goal," the referee announced, much to the ire of Silva and his players.

Jones was referring to the incident involving Muniz, who was deemed to have stepped on the foot of Chelsea centre-back Chalobah while trying to turn him near the halfway line.

In the Premier League rulebook, a "careless challenge" is deemed to be one with a "lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution".

"The whole point of VAR, and this is my frustration, we've probably said this a thousand times, I'm getting bored of saying it, is 'clear and obvious'," former Aston Villa and Derby County defender Curtis Davies told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We're watching a young lad run away and score a goal and it's getting pulled back for nothing.

"It's honestly ridiculous and you're going to look for a needle in a haystack with every decision."

Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy added: "It's the worst decision I've seen this season. It's a complete lack of understanding of the game.

"Muniz tried to do a lovely bit of skill and as he puts his foot down to balance himself he catches Chalobah. VAR disallowed the goal because they've said it's a careless challenge - but it's not a challenge, it's a pirouette in the middle of the pitch."

"It is a great finish from our young boy," Silva told BBC Match of the Day.

"The referee and VAR decisions, I cannot control. I try to speak as best as I can. Everyone is shocked - in the dressing room, people watching on TV, everyone."

King told TNT Sports after the game: "It's a hard feeling to describe. It was a tough decision. I think it was a perfectly good goal but we just have to pick ourselves up."

Chelsea's second goal also came through a VAR intervention after Ryan Sessegnon was judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area.

Joao Pedro also seemed to have handled the ball just before Sessegnon was hit on his outstretched arm with his back to Chalobah's cross, but the decision went in favour of Chelsea and Fernandez converted to seal the win.

"The penalty is another shocking decision," Silva added.

"Someone at the screen has seen something unbelievable like a stamp [for the disallowed goal]. But the same people did not see a foul on King and handball by Joao Pedro, and a stamp on Alex Iwobi.

"The same four eyes that saw something unbelievable in the first half didn't see the same for us in the second half."

'Former players should be part of VAR'
With VAR once again causing controversy, ex-England international Stephen Warnock has called for former players to be part of the VAR team.

"VAR is having a tough time already this season," Warnock told BBC Final Score.

"We are in a situation where people are getting fed up with the forensics of it.

"There was the decision against Bassey versus United last week and this week we've got the Muniz challenge. It's a football movement, a natural football movement, and they find a foul within it."

Joe Cole, speaking on TNT Sports, added: "It is an absolutely disgraceful performance from VAR. We have to remember that when we watch football it means so much to many people and VAR feels sanitised and clinical - it doesn't work. Let's be honest.

"When you have a decision like [the disallowed Fulham goal] and it is so subjective and nuanced and you are stopping the game for four minutes, then you have one man that has to go over to a screen and make a decision - it just doesn't work."

Warnock welcomed the idea of having former players involved with the VAR, saying referees "do not necessarily see the intricacies of the game".

"We know the game, we love the game and we want to see it played in the right way and see the right outcome for every decision made," Warnock said.

"We have done this for a 10-15 year period and we know the intricacies of the movements of football and how they try to manipulate things.

"We know when a player is trying to cut across someone and that little nudge or whatever might happen. When you are doing that on a day-to-day basis you see things differently. The referees don't necessarily see that."

What did the fans have to say?
Steve, Newport Pagnell: Anyone that has played football at any half-decent level knows that this isn't a foul. Where else can the striker put his foot? It's a complete accident. As for VAR, it's meant to stop mistakes, not add to them and re-referee the game. A complete shambles and VAR continues to ruin the PL as a spectacle. These referees have never played football at any level, so they will never understand.

Michael: It's not getting any better, referees do not understand the game, why stick another referee behind VAR? Get some ex-players involved.

Neil: Why do the referees have to side with VAR all the time? Surely the ref can look at that and say that is not a foul. It's like they are too scared to stand up to what they see on the pitch in real time.

Michael, Reading: As a lower league fan, I'm so glad VAR is only top flight. I'd be interested to see a survey of match going premier league fans, to see their views of what it's done to their enjoyment of the game.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cg4x7wy50w1o

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Furious Fulham boss Marco Silva confronts referee Robert Jones after Josh King is harshly denied the opening goal away at Chelsea
An angry Marco Silva waited for referee Robert Jones on the Stamford Bridge pitch at half-time in Fulham's 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.

The Fulham manager stood near the centre circle shaking hands with his players as they walked off, but his real focus was on Jones.

The official, flanked by security, gestured for Silva to head down the tunnel, which he eventually did while still visibly seething.

Silva's frustration stemmed from an incident in the 22nd minute when 18-year-old Josh King thought he had put Fulham ahead.

The teenager showed great composure to cut inside and score, only for VAR to intervene. After reviewing the footage on the pitchside monitor, Jones ruled that Rodrigo Muniz had committed a 'careless challenge' on Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up and chalked the goal off.

The decision infuriated Fulham and drew heavy criticism from pundits. Former Chelsea star Joe Cole told TNT Sports: 'Chalobah goes to win the ball on the halfway line and there is contact but it's not a foul.

'From his perspective once he goes to ground he can no longer impact the game, so he has been very clever in staying down. But if we love football, we can't be stopping it for things like that.'

Karen Carney added: 'This goal should have stood. We are denying an 18-year-old their moment in the Premier League and he has been the best player on the pitch.'

On BBC Radio 5 Live, Nedum Onuoha said: 'Chalobah has got away with murder and the fact he stayed on the floor sold it to them.'

Fulham's mood worsened when Chelsea went in front in the ninth minute of first-half stoppage time. After eight minutes were initially signalled, Enzo Fernandez's corner was headed in by Joao Pedro in the 54th minute of the half.

The travelling supporters chanted '1-0 to the referee' as boos rang around the away end. That chant became '2-0 to the referee' early in the second half after another VAR-assist.

This one was a penalty kick converted by Enzo Fernandez after replays showed that Chalobah's cross had struck the outstretched arm of Ryan Sessegnon.

However, Fulham were annoyed again because replays also appeared to suggest that Pedro had handled the ball too, moments before Sessegnon.

Silva's reaction to this decision was simply to laugh.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15049617/Furious-Fulham-boss-Marco-Silva-confronts-referee-Robert-Jones-Josh-King-harshly-denied-opening-goal-away-Chelsea.html

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Chelsea vs Fulham: Why Joao Pedro Wasn't Penalised For Handball Before Penalty
VAR played a starring role in Chelsea's hard-fought 2-0 win over West London rivals Fulham in Saturday's lunchtime Premier League kickoff. In the first half, Rodrigo Muniz's supposed "careless challenge" in the buildup to Josh King's well-taken strike saw the opener ruled out. But the bigger controversy came after the break, when a decision pushed the scoreline beyond the Cottagers' reach.

Fulham boss Marco Silva will be fuming after Rob Jones and VAR appeared to completely gloss over a potential handball by Joao Pedro in the buildup to the incident that ended with Ryan Sessegnon conceding a penalty through handball himself (watch the incident below). The spot-kick gifted Chelsea a cheap route to goal and marked the third time in as many league matches this season that VAR decisions have tilted in their favour.

Unsurprisingly, confusion has reigned both online and in the stands over why Enzo Maresca's side were still awarded a six-yard attempt, despite Pedro clearly touching the ball with his hand. But now, an explanation has emerged.

Why Ryan Sessegnon Conceded Penalty Despite Pedro Handball
The explanation provided by the Premier League match centre for the decision notably overlooked the other key incident involved. On X, they wrote (see below):

'After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no penalty to Chelsea. Referee announcement: "After review, Fulham thirty makes his body unnaturally bigger by blocking a cross, with his arms extended away from his body. Therefore my final decision is penalty kick."'

While there was no clear explanation as to why Pedro's handball didn't result in the on-field decision of no-penalty from standing, TNT Sports pundit Karen Carney suggested one possible reason: officials may have judged it to be ball to hand rather than hand to ball, with the added factor that the distance between the scorer of Chelsea's first goal and the ball was minimal.

Either way, VAR has already taken centre stage in the 2025/26 season, and supporters online remain understandably frustrated by some of the decisions made so far in its sixth year of use. Consistency remains the biggest issue under scrutiny - but Chelsea won't be complaining, especially after also benefitting on the opening weekend when Eberechi Eze's free-kick for Crystal Palace was controversially chalked off.



https://www.givemesport.com/chelsea-penalty-fulham-joao-pedro-handball-premier-league/

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Premier League 'ruining football' as double VAR outrage slammed in Chelsea versus Fulham
The Premier League issued statements after VAR reviewed a Fulham goal against Chelsea, with it eventually disallowed, then helped award Chelsea a hugely controversial penalty

A "careless challenge" was the reason given by referee Robert Jones for disallowing Fulham's opening goal against Chelsea as VAR intervened in two hugely controversial incidents.

Josh King believed he had put Fulham ahead with a well-executed shot during a counterattack in the first half of the game at Stamford Bridge. However, the goal was ruled out due to an alleged foul on Trevoh Chalobah by Rodrigo Muniz, much to the disappointment of the visiting team, before Chelsea - minus injured star man Cole Palmer - later took the lead in the game.

The Premier League issued a statement saying: "22' VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Fulham." Referee Jones explained his decision after reviewing the incident on the VAR screens, stating: "After review, the Fulham 9 commits a careless challenge and stamps on the foot of the Chelsea 23. Therefore we disallowed the goal and restart with a Chelsea free kick."

Fans were divided over the decision, with many expressing their views on X, reports the Mirror. One supporter commented: "Game's actually gone. How is this a 'Careless challenge ' by Muniz? Every single week PGMOL is ruining our beautiful game."

Another fan chimed in with: '"Careless challenge, game's gone," while another added: "Shocking decision! The ref said it was careless. They're ruining football."

Yet another disgruntled fan posted: "Fulham's disallowed goal is absolutely ridiculous. I thought this season they were judging fouls more strict to be 'clear and obvious' Soon we're gonna be playing non-contact football."

The criticism continued to pour in following the decision, with another supporter stating: "Absolutely wrong. Muniz is in full control of the ball, where is he supposed to put his foot? If we start giving fouls for small contact like this one then what is the whole actually playing a contact sport."

However, this proved irrelevant for the home side as they grabbed the lead just moments before half-time - Joao Pedro finding the net for Chelsea. Marco Silva was left seething, believing the additional time had already run out, before he was left fuming once again by another controversial incident in the second half.

Chelsea players screamed for a penalty in the 50th minute as Ryan Sessegnon blocked Chalobah's cross with his arm. Replays showed Pedro had also seemingly committed a foul with a handball in the build-up.

But that was ignored by the referee who awarded a penalty and Enzo Fernandez blasted the ball down the middle from the spot to double Chelsea's lead.

The Premier League statement this time read: "#CHEFUL – 50' VAR OVERTURN - After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no penalty to Chelsea. Referee announcement: "After review, Fulham 30 [Sessegnon] makes his body unnaturally bigger by blocking a cross, with his arms extended away from his body. Therefore my final decision is penalty kick."

One fan raged: "Another mess by VAR. I mean this game is unwatchable now. What a mess. If that's a handball then why isn't Pedro's before it?"



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/var-chelsea-fulham-premier-league-35819386

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VAR just too strong for Fulham as bunker official guides Chelsea to solid win
Premier League

Chelsea (1) 2 Joao Pedro 45+9, Fernandez pen 56

Fulham (0) 0

VAR comes to the rescue of a big club again - shock.

Just as it was on the opening weekend against Palace, the Blues got lucky with the flimsiest of excuses to chalk off a spectacular goal against them.

Fulham's Josh King scored a brilliant opening goal that will never appear in the history books after the off-field official intervened - the first of two occasions when the ref who saw nothing illegal was persuaded that he had got it all wrong.

Whistler Rob Jones felt duty bound to rubber-stamp the video bunker call from on-duty nerd Michael Salisbury.

King raced upfield and checked back inside ex-Whites defender Tosin before drilling low past Robert Sanchez but it was decided that Rodrigo Muniz won the ball in midfield unfairly by treading on Trevoh Chalobah after controlling the ball.

Then, to compound the agony for Fulham, they conceded in the ninth minute of injury time from a set piece - completely against the run of play.

It was always going to be that kind of day for the Whites. No sooner had the second half got under way than VAR intervened yet again in Chelsea's favour when a Chalobah cross was blocked by Ryan Sessegnon's raised elbow. Jones was once again all-too happy to concur with his distant helper.

Enzo Fernandez smashed home from the spot and that was that.

As the song goes: "You might as well go home"

Fulham had been excellent in the first half, from the moment Sander Berge blocked a Liam Delap effort from close range. They were full of sharp tackles and quick transitions while effectively closing down the angles of approach for Enzo Maresca's men.

Joachim Andersen combined well with Timothy Castagne before curling a left footer wide and it needed a last-ditch sliding tackle from Moises Caicedo to deny Castagne as the defender again got forward in support of an attack.

But moments after Tyrique George - on for a hamstrung Delap - had seen his effort blocked at the near post, Joao Pedro climbed highest to head home the subsequent Fernandez corner in the ninth minute of injury time.

So no repeat of the dramatic win last season for Fulham at Bridge. This time, they only had a raging sense of injustice to take away from their short trip up the road.

This was a fine day for Chelsea, though, who proved they may not have to be so great to win most games in their bid to mount a title challenge.

The Blues - so starved on new big signings of late - had another face in the crowd waiting to become the latest trophy accessory too. The bleached-blond Alejandro Garnacho was in the stands watching the players who will soon become his rivals for a coveted blue shirt.

They need all the help they can get right now.

Blues: (4-2-3-1) Sanchez - Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella - Caicedo, Fernandez - Estevao (Gittens 68), Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto (James 81) - Delap (George 15) (Santos 81)

Whites: (4-2-3-1) Leno - Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon (Robinson 67) - Lukic, Berge - Castagne (Wilson 60), King (Smith Rowe 67), Iwobi (Traore 83) - Rodrigo Muniz (Jimenez 60)



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/var-just-too-strong-for-fulham-as-bunker-official-guides-chelsea-to-solid-win

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Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: VAR controversy dominates incident-packed west London derby
Marco Silva seething as huge calls go against his team in painful Stamford Bridge defeat

Chelsea recorded a controversial 2-0 west London derby victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge to maintain their strong start to the Premier League season.

The scoreline however was hardly a reflection of the visitors' role in a diverting tussle that came to life midway through the first half when 18-year-old Josh King was denied a first league goal by a VAR call that enraged manager Marco Silva and irrevocably soured the mood of away fans in the Shed End.

Rodrigo Muniz was the player penalised, judged to have been reckless in his challenge on Trevoh Chalobah before the ball was worked to King, who finished into the corner with aplomb.

Fulham's joy at taking the lead was transformed into a bitter sense of injustice for what remained of the derby following a lengthy pitchside review by referee Robert Jones.

Striker Joao Pedro headed Chelsea in front at the end of the nine added minutes that resulted from the hold-up.

There was further reason for Fulham's agitation in the second half, a two-fold VAR call that first exonerated Joao Pedro then penalised Ryan Sessegnon for handball, allowing Enzo Fernandez to double the lead from the penalty spot.

The best early chances had gone to Fulham, Joachim Andersen and Alex Iwobi each firing wide, whilst Chelsea themselves went close when Liam Delap's shot was well blocked by Andersen.

It was to be the limit of Delap's involvement, the new signing sustaining what looked to be a hamstring injury chasing a long ball, leading to his withdrawal after 13 minutes.

King scored what looked to be a wonderful goal midway thorough the half, turning Tosin Adarabioyo inside out at the end of a Fulham break before finishing into the corner, only for referee Jones to determine that Muniz's clever manoeuvre to dodge Chalobah near the halfway line had constituted a foul.

It was a call that incensed Silva as well as the travelling Fulham support, who shared the view that Muniz had trodden accidentally on the Chelsea defender in the legitimate act of evading a tackle.

Robert Sanchez then saved point-blank from Muniz after a fine ball in from Sessegnon before Moises Caicedo rescued Chelsea with a last-ditch tackle to stop Timothy Castagne from sweeping Fulham in front.

In first-half stoppage time, the hosts went in front. Fernandez sent over a corner from the left and six yards out Joao Pedro took two steps back and angled his neck masterfully to direct the ball downwards and in.

Fulham conceded a penalty at the start of the second half, Sessegnon raising an arm to Chalobah's cross.

Another drawn-out VAR check followed to establish that Joao Pedro had not committed a foul seconds earlier and that Sessegnon had made his body "unnaturally bigger" in blocking the cross.

From the spot, Fernandez went straight down the middle for 2-0 and for the first time, Fulham no longer looked sure of themselves.

Estevao Willian found space to wriggle into the box and drew a smart low stop from Bernd Leno at the near post before the goalkeeper was summoned again to deny Joao Pedro after the defence allowed him a clear run on goal.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-fc-vs-fulham-result-b1245192.html

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea beat Fulham in controversial derby
Joao Pedro's header and Enzo Fernandez's penalty gave Chelsea victory in a controversial derby at Stamford Bridge.

It was controversial because Fulham had what seemed a perfectly good goal disallowed in the first half.

Youngster Josh King fired into the net following a swift Whites counter-attack but the goal was ruled out after a VAR check for an apparent foul by Rodrigo Muniz on Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up.

Worse followed for Fulham in the ninth minute of first-half stoppage time, when Fernandez's corner was nodded in by Joao Pedro.

Fernandez doubled the Blues' lead early in the second half, blasting home from the spot after Ryan Sessegnon handled Chalobah's shot – another decision made following a VAR check.

Joao Pedro prevented a late Fulham goal by clearing Joachim Andersen's close-range header off the line.

The win maintained Chelsea's unbeaten start to the season but, on a much less positive note for them, summer signing Liam Delap went off in the second half with what looked like a hamstring injury.
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao (Gittens 67), Joao Pedro, Neto (James 81); Delap (George 14) (Santos 81)
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Fofana, Hato, Essugo,

Fulham: Leno, Castagne (Wilson 60), Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon (Robinson 67), Berge, Lukic, King (Smith Rowe 67), Iwobi (Traore 84), Muniz (Jimenez 60)
Subs not used: Lecomte, Cuenca, Reed, Cairney



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/chelsea-v-fulham-30-89333

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'Oh dear, oh dear!' – PGMOL insider blasts Rob Jones and VAR for 'ruining the game' in Chelsea vs Fulham controversy
Keith Hackett slammed the decision to disallow Josh King's goal for Fulham against Chelsea.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Rob Jones should have visited the VAR monitor before telling Michael Salisbury, the VAR operator, to "get lost".

Fulham were unfortunate to see Rodrigo Muniz's own goal against Man United be given in their previous match.

The Brazilian striker was shoved in the back by Leny Yoro, but neither VAR or referee Chris Kavanagh decided to intervene.

And following a tight first-half, Muniz seemed to have earned retribution by setting up young star Josh King to score his first senior goal for Fulham.

That was until VAR intervened in the decision, leaving Marco Silva and the Cottagers fuming at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 30 August.

Josh King goal ruled out after 'careless challenge'
This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

With 21 minutes gone and the scores level, Muniz spun away from defender Trevoh Chalobah and slid a pass through the Chelsea backline.

Muniz had been linked with a Fulham exit this summer, but earned a starting place following a late equaliser against Brighton on the opening day of the season.

King raced onto the ball before turning inside and firing home at the near post, leaving Tosin Adarabioyo and Robert Sanchez aghast.

The 18-year-old was joined by his teammates in wild celebrations, with Stamford Bridge stunned into silence.

However, VAR noticed that in the build-up, Muniz had trodden on Chalobah's foot as he spun away.

Jones went to the monitor to review the incident, and despite a lack of malice or intention, disallowed the goal calling it a "careless challenge", much to the dismay of Silva, who spent the next few minutes giving the fourth official an earful.

Chelsea would then find an opener of their own through Joao Pedro, a summer signing from Brighton, in the 10th minute of added time in the first half, after Jones had added on eight minutes thanks to various stoppages.

Keith Hackett slams Rob Jones and VAR
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett was dismayed that Fulham's goal had been chalked off.

He said: "Oh dear oh dear! What is happening to the quality of our officiating?

"This is not a foul, it is not a careless challenge, and the Fulham goal should have stood.

"Rob Jones did not require VAR to intervene. Jones should have visited the screen and told Salisbury to get lost."

Having reviewed the clip further, Hackett added: "Another piece of poor officiating. Football is a contact sport and we must recognise that. Fulham have every right to be aggrieved.

"They've had a good goal chalked off. The challenge isn't careless, it's not a foul, it's an accident; these things happen in football.

"VAR should not come in; we're ruining the game with forensic examination of challenges and VAR looking for any small activity to interfere.

"It's over-indulgence, it's poor officiating and it's spoiling the game, and it's losing fans. It's about time something happened."



https://www.footballinsider247.com/oh-dear-oh-dear-pgmol-insider-blasts-rob-jones-and-var-for-ruining-the-game-in-chelsea-vs-fulham-controversy/

[WhiteJC]

Trial by video leaves Fulham fuming
Chelsea rode their luck – and had a helping hand from their officials – as they beat Fulham 2-0 in the SW6 derby at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. Joao Pedro's header and a penalty from Enzo Fernandez gave Enzo Maresco's side the three points to head into the international break in fine fettle, but it could – and perhaps – should have been so different.

The home side were ponderous and nervy in a first half that their near neighbours dominated. Marco Silva set Fulham up with three centre halves to nullify Chelsea's attacking arsenal and, as it did last weekend against Manchester United, it largely worked. Rodrigo Muniz led the line in place of Raul Jimenez and delivered the game's telling moment, turning terrifically away from Trevoh Chalobah short of the centre circle, to allow Sander Berge to put Josh King in between the home defence. The teenager accelerated into the penalty area and had the presence of mind to shift the ball onto his right foot before shooting through the legs of Tosin Adarabioyo and inside the near post. It was a fine first goal for Fulham for the attacking midfielder who has been in the club's academy since the age of eight, or so we thought.

Chalobah had stayed on the floor having been turned inside out by Muniz. The video assistant referee Michael Salisbury instructed Jones to head to the monitor and the goal was eventually disallowed for 'a careless challenge,' according to Jones. Muniz's offence whilst shielding the ball with his back to goal and flicking it towards a team-mate? A stray foot landed briefly on Chalobah's toe. It wasn't enough for the defender to stay on the floor and, certainly can't be considered a clear and obvious error, as even slowed down it didn't look like a foul.

King's magical moment, his first goal for his boyhood club, was taken away from him. Silva fumed on the sidelines. His side had been disciplined and had the better of the contest in a first half where the Whites created the clearest chances on the counter attack. The talented teenager had another shot saved by Robert Sanchez, Joachim Andersen and Alex Iwobi also went close and Timothy Castagne, excellent again at right wing-back, saw a goal-bound shot brilliantly blocked by Moises Caicedo.

By contrast, the Blues were listless. It didn't help that they lost the focal point of their attack in the fourteenth minute when Liam Delap injured a hamstring whilst trying to beat Joachim Andersen to a through ball, but the hosts had great difficulty in penetrating a resolute Fulham rearguard. The fourth official's board indicated eight added minutes and, right at the end of added time, Bernd Leno blocked well from Joao Pedro at the far post.

Jones allowed another corner to be taken – and a minute beyond that added time – Fernandez's flag-kick was glanced into the net by Pedro, who had sneaked between Calvin Bassey and Andersen. Silva seethed on the touchline when Jones did bring the first half to close, walking away from the official when instructed and probably saving himself another ban. The home side had to be better in the second half and they were, with Pedro Neto and Pedro, becoming more influential.

There was more controversy nine minutes after the break when, after initially waving play on, Jones went to the pitchside monitor and awarded a penalty against Ryan Sessegnon for handball. The Fulham wing-back had turned his back on a cross from Chalobah and lifted his elbow as he jumped. You've certainly seen them given, but the VAR curiously ignored Caicedo stamping on Iwobi before the ball went into the box and – even more egregiously – a push on Andersen by Pedro, who then handled Kenny Tete's clearance with his head. Bernd Leno got a foot to Fernandez's fiercely struck spot-kick, but couldn't keep it out.

From there, it was always going to be difficult for Fulham to mount a comeback. They looked more threatening once Silva had sent on a succession of substitutes – with Andersen seeing a stoppage-time header scrambled off the line by Pedro. Chelsea, watched from the stands by their new signing Alejandro Garnacho, will play a lot better than this and lose. The Fulham fans, furious at the sense of injustice that had titled the derby away from them, finished the afternoon with a hearty chorus of '2-0 to the referee'. It was hard to disagree.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Chalobah; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao (Gittens 68), Neto (James 81), Joao Pedro; Delap (George 14, Santos 81). Subs (not used): Jorgensen, Acheampong, Fofana, Hato, Essugo.

BOOKED: Caicedo, Santos.

GOAL: Joao Pedro (45+9), Fernandez (pen 56).

FULHAM (3-4-2-1): Leno; Tete, Bassey, Andersen; Castagne (Wilson 59), R. Sessegnon (A. Robinson 67), Lukic, Berge; Iwobi (Traore 84), King (Smith Rowe 67); Muniz (Jimenez 59). Subs (not used): Lecomte, Cuenca, Reed, Cairney.

BOOKED: Iwobi, Lukic.

REFEREE: Robert Jones (Merseyside).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/08/trial-by-video-leaves-fulham-fuming/

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Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Joao Pedro handball incident explained
VAR controversy reared its ugly head twice as Chelsea maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 win over West London derby rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

In many ways, the first 45 minutes of the lunchtime capital clash followed the script for the season; a hamstring injury, Chelsea scoring from a corner and the obligatory dose of VAR drama.

The hosts lost Liam Delap to an early muscle issue shortly before Joshua King had the ball in the back of the net for the Cottagers, but the youngster's strike was disallowed, as Rodrigo Muniz was deemed to have fouled Trevoh Chalobah when accidentally standing on the centre-back's foot in the build-up.

If Fulham boss Marco Silva was not already furious enough, the Portuguese nearly hit tipping point when Joao Pedro headed the Blues in front in the ninth minute of first-half injury time; the Cottagers head coach waited for referee Rob Jones on the pitch before being ordered into the tunnel.

The on-field official was at the centre of controversy yet again in the second 45, as Ryan Sessegnon was penalised for a handball inside the penalty area, allowing Enzo Fernandez to double the Club World Cup winners' lead.

The contentious incidents stopped there as Chelsea comfortably saw out the triumph, thus rising to the top of the Premier League table for at least a couple of hours.


SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT


Dissection time.

There is nothing that can unite fans of rival teams more than a controversial refereeing decision, and from a quick glance at social media, almost all were in agreement that King's disallowed goal will go down as one of the biggest VAR miscarriages of justice.

Trying to give the officials some benefit of the doubt, it can be argued that supporters of any team will always ask for a foul if one of their players is stamped on, accidental or not.

But on the flip side, Muniz may have had nowhere else to put his foot than on Chalobah's own, and the consensus among the masses is that the VAR room are going too far when it comes to finding reasons to disallow goals - which, at the end of the day, is what football is all about.

Breaking down the penalty incident, the IFAB changed the handball rule in 2021 so that accidental handballs leading to a teammate scoring or having a scoring opportunity would not be penalised, so long as the scorer/player involved in the opportunity themselves did not commit the offence.

The Pedro handball argument therefore stops there, but the point will no doubt be raised that Sessegnon's arm was not in an unnatural position given that he was airborne - cue the 'how else is he supposed to jump?' remarks.

Focusing on the football momentarily, Chelsea did emerge deserve winners based on their much-improved second-half performance, but this is another Premier League game that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/chelsea/west-london-derby/result/the-west-london-varby-double-controversy-as-chelsea-take-down-fulham_580427.html

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Fulham 'robbed by three scandalous decisions'
The I's Oliver Myles-Young has written a scathing repudiation of the video assistant referee's role in Fulham's defeat at Stamford Bridge this afternoon – saying that the decisions taken in the SW6 made a mockery of the reasons why the technology was brought in.

He's right but that is scant consolation.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/08/fulham-robbed-by-three-scandalous-decisions/

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King: 'I thought it was a perfectly good goal'
Josh King told TNT Sports that he thought he had scored 'a perfectly good goal' to give Fulham the lead in the SW6 derby at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

King's superb strike was ruled out for a questionable foul against Rodrigo Muniz on Trevoh Chalobah and the talented teenager tried to put into words his disappointment at seeing his first Fulham goal ruled out after the final whistle. Chelsea went on to win 2-0 – and King told Becky Ives:

"It's a hard feeling to describe, I think. Obviously, scoring that elation with the team around me, was one of the greatest feelings I've felt ... hopefully it will be counted next time! Obviously it was a tough decision. I think it was a perfectly good goal, but that's not much you can do. We just have to try and pick ourselves up and fight for the next seventy or eight minutes.

I feel like that's just a part of being a professional and obviously there's going to be decisions that go against us and you have to bounce back. Obviously, it was a tough one to take – to score and then, going into the break having conceded, was a difficult one. We just have to bounce back, really. It's all we can do. We can only control the controllables.

He's a really passionate person and that sort of fires us up as well. We tried to work really hard for each other. It was a difficult one to take today, because I think maybe we deserved more from the game, but it is what it is. Hopefully, we bounce back in two weeks time.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/08/king-i-thought-it-was-a-perfectly-good-goal/

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Silva slams 'unbelievable' decisions
A furious Fulham head coach Marco Silva slammed the 'unbelievable decisions' of referee Rob Jones and VAR Michael Salisbury after his side were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

The Whites saw Josh King's fabulous first-half goal ruled out for a contentious foul by Rodrigo Muniz and went behind to Joao Pedro's header, which was scored in the ninth minute after eight minutes were indicated by the fourth official. Silva told TNT Sports after the final whistle:

"For someone who loves football ... of course, I am here as the Fulham manger but as someone who loves football, as a manager, former football player, as a fan sometimes when I watch a game, I really sad. It is clear. A derby game is a special game, in the best competition in the world, with millions and millions of people watching on TV, I saw my team playing outstanding football, in the first half. Playing football, not coming here to park the bus or something like that. We know the difference off the pitch, the financial point of view they are on a different planet, but on the pitch, we knew what were capable of. The boys were outstanding.

After what happened last week, all the controversy in the game against Manchester United, the decisions of the VAR, we are here to learn and make our players understand things. But, it is almost impossible for me to feel it is going to be balanced in the end. Performance wise, we were outstanding in the first half. All the decisions from the VAR, all the decisions from the referee made a massive impact on the game. The second half is not at the level I want to see from my team. I told them we cannot control all the decisions that went against us.

How you disallow a goal like that is unbelievable. Unbelievable We have meetings with the referees, with the people that is in charge, that we all respect. We go there to try and see a direction in things. One of the main things is that the VAR is not here to referee the game. The protocol [is that] it is here to see things that are clear. For me, it is unbelievable. I would prefer to say nothing more because I will be punished, which I don't want. I want to be on the bench for the next game. I don't want to pay fines. I want to help our players. It has been difficult for us with the start of the season with so many decisions that don't come in the way they should. But, it is what it is, let's move on.

36I would love to explain [to you] many things. For example, the first goal. My job is to prepare my players, so we are going to analyse [the goals]. Eight minutes extra time. First corner. After the first corner, it was already nine minutes. They had the first corner in the eighth minute. If it was me [attacking], I would like to see a corner. They won the second corner. It is nine minutes. He has to stop the game. It is in the rules. He has to stop the game. I am not saying that is my opinion, by the rules. The referee he told me, 'I had to stop and speak to your player'. I checked the eight minutes. The game didn't stop [for] one second. What can I say to you? I am the manager. I am trying to do the best for my football club. Chelsea won the game and we move on.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/08/silva-slams-unbelievable-decisions/

[WhiteJC]

Furious Marco Silva slams 'unbelievable' VAR decision after controversial Chelsea win
Fulham were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but the match featured a number of contentious decisions from the on-field ref and the video assistant referee

Fulham manager Marco Silva hit out at "unbelievable" decision-making from the officials in his team's Premier League defeat to Chelsea. The Cottagers were on te wrong end of a number of contentious calls as they lost 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to remain winless in the league this season.

Silva's side thought they had the lead before half-time when Josh King raced through and finished confidently for what would have been his first Premier League goal. However, after a VAR check, referee Rob Jones ruled that Rodrigo Muniz had committed a foul earlier in the move.

Chelsea took the lead, with Joao Pedro heading home in the ninth minute of first-half stoppage-time after a minimum of eight minutes went up on the board. Silva waited for referee Jones at the break, with the official appearing to direct him down the tunnel for a conversation.

Early in the second half, things got worse for the visitors. Enzo Fernandez scored from the penalty spot after Ryan Sessegnon was penalised for handball - again after a VAR check - but some fans watching the game felt Joao Pedro was guilty of handball before Sessegnon's offence.

"For me it's unbelievable, really," SIlva said of the disallowed King goal when speaking to TNT Sports after the game. "And of course... you can talk about many things, I would prefer to say nothing more because I will be punished.

"And I want to be on the bench in the next game, I don't want to pay fines, I want to help our players. But it has been difficult for us, this start of the season, with so many decisions that haven't come in the way they should."

It was the second game in a row in which Silva has been left frustrated by a VAR call. He questioned why there was no intervention to disallow Manchester United's goal at Craven Cottage last weekend for a foul, while this time the Portuguese was angered by the first half stoppage time whiel led to Chelsea's opener in addition to the VAR drama around the King goal that was chalked off.

"After the first corner it was already nine minutes [of stoppage time played]," Silva added. "They [Chelsea] had the first corner in the eighth minute - there's your moment, if it's for me, I'd like to see a corner. Eight minutes. They won the second corner, already nine minutes extra time.

"He [the referee] has to stop the game. It's by the rules, he has to stop the game. I'm not saying that it's my opinion - by the rules. I asked the referee, he told me 'because we lost time, I was speaking with a player'. I checked the eight minutes now, I checked all the eight minutes, the game didn't stop one second. What can I say to you? I'm the manager, I try to do my best with my players and my football club. Okay, Chelsea won the game and we move on.

He added: "I make mistakes, the ref can make mistakes, the Premier League is so intense, so tough, all that stuff. But when it's black or white it has to be black or white. We cannot see somthing that was not there."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/marco-silva-chelsea-fulham-var-35819464