All the controversy in the Premier League: the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea defines Matchday 28

Matchday 28 in the Premier League once again placed refereeing at the center of debate. There were controversial moments in different stadiums, but the spotlight inevitably focused on the London derby between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC. A major clash, with the title race at stake and within a competitive context that leaves little room for error. And precisely because of that, every decision carries even greater weight.

Arsenal were defending their position at the top of the table. The margin for error is minimal when the pressure of maintaining the lead intensifies. In that scenario, two key incidents before and after halftime ended up shaping the narrative of the match.

Minute 45: a penalty that did not exist… under the referee’s interpretation

Just before halftime, with the score at 1-0, the first major controversial moment occurred. Declan Rice prevented Hato from challenging for the ball inside the penalty area. There is an initial clear contact that hinders the challenge and, in the same movement, the midfielder extends his elbow and deflects the ball. An action that combines obstruction and arm contact in a single sequence.

The incident contained enough elements to warrant a detailed review. However, neither Darren England on the pitch nor John Brooks in the VAR booth deemed it necessary to intervene. The game went into halftime without an on-field review and with the feeling that Chelsea had lost a clear opportunity to level the score before the break.

In a derby of this magnitude, an incident of that scale not even receiving a visible review creates a perception that is difficult to justify.

Minute 52: a sustained holding that was not given as a penalty

The second incident came shortly after halftime. From a set piece delivery into the box, William Saliba was seen holding João Pedro for an extended period. It was not a brief or natural positional duel. It was a repeated hold, involving both arms, clearly limiting the striker’s ability to attack the ball.

This type of holding is contemplated in the Laws of the Game as punishable when it prevents a player from challenging for the ball. On this occasion, once again, there was no decision. No penalty, no VAR recommendation for an on-field review.

The context amplifies the perception: had it been awarded, Chelsea would have had the opportunity to take a 1-2 lead and completely change the dynamic of the match. Two incidents in the same game, both inside Arsenal’s penalty area, both without a formal review. Too much coincidence for a match of such significance.

At Old Trafford: penalty and red card in a debatable situation

The third key moment of the matchday occurred in the game between Manchester United and Crystal Palace. A through ball was played towards Matheus Cunha, with a clear initial hold by Lacroix outside the penalty area that affected his run. The play continued into the box, where the contact was reduced to a light hand on the shoulder.

Cunha went down and referee Chris Kavanagh awarded a penalty. Following a VAR review, the decision was upheld and a red card was added for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The difficulty lies in the fact that the decisive contact inside the area is minimal and debatable. The more evident hold occurred outside, but as the action was interpreted as continuing, the final decision resulted in a penalty and red card.

Here, the debate is more interpretative than structural. The VAR operated under the on-field referee’s judgment and the review followed the evaluation of a dangerous attacking situation. The assessment can be debated, but the procedure itself was visible.

“The red card completely changed the course of the game. It was a very difficult decision — the penalty and the red card — because the foul started outside the box, and normally the foul should be given where it began.”

At Craven Cottage: a goal originating from a prior foul

Controversy continued in the match between Fulham FC and Tottenham Hotspur, as the first goal of the game also featured a debated moment in the 6th minute. A cross into the penalty area led to an aerial duel between Radu Drăgușin and Raúl Jiménez, with the striker approaching from behind.

Jiménez placed his hand on the defender’s back and pushed just enough to prevent him from asserting himself in the jump and clearing the ball properly. That subtle but decisive action allowed him to win position and flick the ball on, creating the assist that resulted in Harry Wilson’s goal.

The push is slight but effective. It hinders the clearance and directly influences the subsequent play. Neither referee Paul Tierney nor the VAR considered the action punishable. The goal stood, and the preceding foul went largely unnoticed.