Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has condemned VAR's decision to overturn Axel Disasi's late winner in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
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VAR chalks off Disasi's injury time winnerChelsea draw 2-2 with Aston VillaPochettino lets rip at refereeing standardsGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Pochettino's men fell two goals behind Aston Villa in the first half. However, a much-improved showing after the interval saw Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher put the ball in the back of substitute goalkeeper Robin Olsen's net. In the dying minutes of the second-half stoppage time, Disasi managed to head in a late winner for the Blues, however, referee Craig Pawson was sent to the pitch-side monitor by VAR Chris Kavanagh for a foul from Benoit Badiashile in the build-up, and the goal was chalked off.
AdvertisementWHAT POCHETTINO SAID
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Pochettino said: "Disasi’s disallowed goal? I don’t want to talk bad about the referee but it’s unbelievable and ridiculous. It’s difficult to accept. In the FA Cup semi-final I was humble and when VAR said no penalty, but this is painful and has damaged the image of English football."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The draw was not a good result for either side. Emery's side now sit just seven points above Tottenham Hotspur, who have three games in hand over the Villans, as the two teams race for the last Champions League spot. Meanwhile, for Chelsea, the solitary point meant that the Blues failed to jump above West Ham into eighth place, denting their hopes of securing European football next season.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
The Blues will return to action soon enough when they take on Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, May 2. A win would potentially see them jump up just one point away from Newcastle United in seventh.