Jamie Carragher tore into the decision to give Manchester City a penalty against Chelsea by claiming “it is not right”
Jamie Carragher strongly condemned the decision to grant Manchester City a penalty against Chelsea, asserting that “it is not right.” The reigning Premier League champions were awarded a spot-kick in the first half after Erling Haaland was brought down by Marc Cucurella. The unclear nature of the initial incident left spectators at Stamford Bridge perplexed.
VAR scrutinized the situation, reviewing a potential foul by the Norwegian striker on the Chelsea player before the takedown, sparking a potential debate. Despite the scrutiny, the original decision stood, prompting former Liverpool defender Carragher to question the officiating team’s judgment.
Expressing his disapproval on Sky Sports, Carragher stated, “This is not right. I think that’s harsh for me because it looks like half of one, half a dozen on the other between Haaland and Cucurella.” He emphasized that VAR solely focused on the end of the tussle, neglecting the start of the altercation where Haaland grabbed Cucurella’s shirt.
Carragher’s critique surfaces during a challenging period for referees and VAR in the Premier League, with recent controversial decisions fueling criticism from managers, including Mikel Arteta.
Despite the contentious penalty decision, Haaland successfully converted, marking his 12th Premier League goal of the season. However, City soon found themselves trailing before halftime, with Thiago Silva equalizing from a corner, followed by Raheem Sterling putting Chelsea in the lead.
While Carragher believed the referee favored City and Haaland, the match unfolded dramatically, with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez denying Haaland’s attempt and City leveling the score before halftime through a brilliant header from Manuel Akanji. The game’s twists and turns underscored the ongoing debates surrounding refereeing decisions and VAR’s impact on match outcomes in the Premier League.
