- Noni Madueke won Chelsea’s penalty after he was fouled by Eberechi Eze
- Madueke stepped up and took the Blues spot kick giving them all three points
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Roy Hodgson continued with his fury at officiating and insisted that ‘there are two referees every game’ after his Crystal Palace side were on the wrong end of a VAR decision agains Chelsea.
Chelsea’s were awarded a penalty after referee Michael Salisbury was instructed by Chris Kavanagh on VAR to check a potential foul by Eberechi Eze on Noni Madueke.
Madueke converted from the spot in the 89th minute to ultimately give Chelsea a crucial three points after Michael Olise had initially cancelled out Mykhailo Mudryk’s opener.
‘We just have to accept there’s two referees every game and every time something happens on the field of play and the referee makes the decision, you still have to wait several minutes just in case somebody in the studio, someone hasn’t whispered in his ear that he’s seen something different,’ Hodgson said.
And the Crystal Palace manager was adamant that his side deserved at least a point.
They have now gone eight consecutive games without a win, leaving them just four points above the drop.
‘I thought we played very well and that we deserved to get something. We really could have even said that a performance like that should have got us the three points but that’s got nothing,’ said the Palace manager.
‘Am I frightened to death now because we are only a few points above the relegation zone? No, I’m not because it doesn’t matter to me who’s top of the league at this moment in time.
What bothers me is 38 games and where we’re going to be. What I think is that with this team and the way we’ve played the last four games, that gives me great hope and a great heart for the future.
I’m sad at the moment because I think I should be sitting here now with at least one point behind.’ Hodgson added.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted that his side ‘didn’t start well’ but the Argentinian was delighted with Madueke’s impact off the bench.
‘We were a little bit nervous and struggled because we were thinking too much about a game we really needed to win,’ said Pochettino.
‘He (Madueke) played free. He did what we needed (when he came on). I liked it because he showed he was upset and disappointed with me.
‘I am so happy because a player who comes from the bench needs to show this character and this hunger. He showed he was ready to take the opportunity.’
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
