Enzo Maresca gives verdict on whether Kaoru Mitoma’s goal against Chelsea should have been disallowed for handball
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Chelsea can have very few complaints with the result they suffered at the hands of Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round last night.
The Blues were defeated 2-1, ultimately unable to hold on to the early lead handed on a plate to them by Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verburggen.
With no recognised striker available after injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, Chelsea struggled to create any chances as they tried desperately to get back into the game.
Enzo Maresca believes Kaoru Mitoma’s goal should have been disallowed
After a while spent at 1-1, Kaoru Mitoma broke through the Chelsea defence after a number of ricochets, dinking a finish over Robert Sanchez, back in the side in place of Filip Jorgensen.
There was some complaints amongst Chelsea players and staff over whether the goal should have stood. Marc Cucurella led the charge after the ball hit the net on the pitch.
Enzo Maresca himself believes a handball was committed in the build-up to the goal, however admitted he doesn’t even have the faith that VAR would have disallowed it if it was in play.
He said to ITV Sport: “I watched, it’s a clear handball, but without VAR, sometimes even with VAR you never know if it’s handball or not.
“I don’t know [if VAR would have intervened]. This season, we’ve seen so many handballs, but VAR wasn’t there, so I don’t know.”
Enzo Maresca’s frustration with referees during time at Chelsea
Every club will feel as if key decisions go against them, however Chelsea can make the case that they have been affected more than most.
Maresca has been seen approaching referees after games to question decisions that have at times impacted the result of Premier League matches.
Chelsea’s run of poor results to end 2024 and start the new year has seen a plethora of VAR calls go against them, potentially costing them crucial points in the race for the top four.
Many have called for the refereeing to be done on the pitch and not at Stockley Park, however the Blues may not believe that after the system was not in place to analyse last night’s big call.
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