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Former referee Dermot Gallagher spots VAR ‘optical illusion’ in Chelsea’s controversial goal against West Ham
The Blues broke back into the top four but the match wasn't without its controversy
DERMOT GALLAGHER pointed out a flaw with the VAR system... it can be littered with "optical illusions".
The former match official was appearing on Sky Sports' Ref Watch to discuss two major incidents in Chelsea's controversial win over West Ham.
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In the build up to Pedro Neto's all-important second-half equaliser, Jarrod Bowen was bundled over by Levi Colwill.
No foul was given and play waved on, as Chelsea went up the other end to score.
But the goal itself was also mired in controversy after Marc Cucurella was adjudged to NOT be offside.
Neto whipped the ball across with the left-back in an offside position.
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However, there was much debate as to whether Marc Guiu got a flick on the ball en-route to Cucurella.
If he had, then Cucurella would absolutely have been offside.
The ball came across to Neto, who smashed the ball into the back of the net.
After a VAR check, the goal was allowed to stand, with Guiu therefore not adjudged to have got a flick.
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Gallagher - who admitted the collision between Bowen and Colwill could perhaps have been a free-kick for West Ham - said it looked as though Guiu got a touch based on a still photo.
However, he called it an optical illusion as he pointed to the fact you couldn't see a touch when watching the video.
Chelsea vs West Ham: Player Ratings Breakdown
Gallagher said: "If he touches it, without doubt Cucurella is offside.
"But you look at it, there's one angle that I think is an optical illusion…
"It looks as though he touches it but it's a still photo and I think still photos can be deceiving.
"You look at it and there's no evidence he's touched the ball.
"So I feel he's duty bound to allow the goal."
Gallagher went on to admit while the foul on Bowen should have been given, enough time had passed between that incident and the goal to not go back and check it.
On the goal, the Premier League commented: "The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as there was no factual evidence that Guiu made contact with the ball in the build-up, therefore there was no offside offence."
CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS: Levi Colwill’s sluggish performance saved by Pedro Neto’s best showing in a Blues shirt
CHELSEA capitalised on the failures of their rivals to move up to fourth in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over West Ham.
A host of changes from Enzo Maresca upped the tempo in the second half, and they paid dividends with Pedro Neto driving home an equaliser in the 63rd minute after a shot from Fernandez.
Jarrod Bowen had capitalised on a Levi Colwill error to fire West Ham ahead.
Fans grew optimistic as the home side grew into the game, which culminated in a deflected Cole Palmer effort sending the Bridge into raptures as they went 2-1 up.
Here is how SunSport's Lloyd Canfield rated Chelsea's performance.
Filip Jorgensen - 7
It would've been a tough task to disappoint Chelsea fans after what they have seen from Robert Sanchez in recent weeks.
There wasn't an awful lot he could do about the opener, and actually made some pretty good stops to prevent his side being more than one goal down at the halfway point.
Those saves proved vital, and he should expect to start against Brighton up next.
Reece James - 6
His crosses from the right were good throughout the first half, but there was no one clinical enough in the box to grab him an assist.
Strong defensively, but ultimately didn't have much to do in that aspect with Chelsea dominant on the flanks.
Tosin Adarabioyo - 7
Strong in the air and pretty good across the ground.
Perhaps could have done a little more to prevent Bowen opening the scoring as he seemed to stand and watch him shoot, but overall was good and is growing into a good, consistent Premier League centre half.
His vital block in added time might well have been the difference between three points and one.
Levi Colwill - 3
His awful backpass rolledBowen in perfectly to give the Hammers the lead just before first half-time.
A lousy and sluggish performance improved in the second half after his side took the lead, but he was fortunate not to cost his side points tonight.
Marc Cucurella - 7
Inverted well from left back into midfield in a role that looks made for him, he was strong in his tackles and good in the air from start to finish.
Got into dangerous positions going forward, but couldn't add the finishing touches to his game on this occasion.
Moises Caicedo - 7
Tenacious tackling and energy is what the home fans have become accustomed to seeing from their Ecuadorian destroyer.
Glimpses of that in the first half extended into a mature and controlled second 45 minutes where he looked to have Mo Kudus' number.
Enzo Fernández - 5
Missed a huge chance to give Chelsea the lead which he rolled past the left hand post from a few yards out.
It was his blocked effort which bounced out for Neto to level the scoring, but overall the Argentine looked a bit off the pace in midfield.
Noni Madueke - 4
Perhaps should've had a goal and assist in the first half an hour as he was set up by Nicolas Jackson and put the ball on a plate for Fernandez, but neither chance was converted.
His best moment of the second half was when he bodied the referee, before being subbed for Christopher Nkunku.
Cole Palmer - 7
A quiet first half had the travelling fans comparing him to Andy Irving, but he soon showed them up.
Almost scored a free-kick similar to the one we saw against Brighton this season, but it was well saved by Alphonse Areola.
It was his deflected effort that put his side in the lead as he grew into the game more and more.
Jadon Sancho - 4
His quick feet made him a threat on the left-hand side in the first half, but again his end product or lack thereof would've cost Chelsea if his replacement didn't bail them out.
Was subbed five minutes into the second half for Pedro Neto.
Nicolas Jackson - 3
Showed some promising signs early on with a good ball into Noni Madueke, who narrowly missed the goal.
Aside from that, he looked like a striker utterly devoid of any confidence and was poor before being hooked for 18-year-old Marc Guiu.
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Marc Guiu (Nicolas Jackson, 51) – 5
Didn't really do a lot wrong or right after coming on for Nicolas Jackson.
Certainly looks more confident in the Conference League, but Premier League minutes in the tank will do him good.
Pedro Neto (Jadon Sancho, 51) - 8
His best performance in a Chelsea shirt since he joined.
A composed finish saw him level the scoring before more great work in the build up sawPalmer rifle home a deflected effort.
Great energy, work rate, and end product from Maresca's own Portuguese magnifico.
Malo Gusto (Reece James, 60) - 6
Was energetic and strong after replacing captain Reece James, also playing a part in the goal that put his side in the lead.
His passing was good and he looked more like the player who became a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge last campaign.
Christopher Nkunku (Noni Madueke, 60) - 5
Did a job for the team out of position on the left-hand side in Jadon Sancho's position.
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