Should
Chelsea have been awarded a first half penalty against Man Utd? Frank
Lampard, Patrice Evra and the fouled player, Cesar Azpilicueta, have their
say...
Despite a drab goalless draw at a sodden Old Trafford, there was a moment of
controversy when Harry Maguire used Azpilicueta for leverage while clearing
a Chelsea corner. He wrapped his arms around the Spaniard's shoulders,
pushing him down.
However, despite appearing to be a foul, referee Martin Atkinson waved away
the claims from Azpilicueta and VAR did not review the decision. It was a
big talking point after the game and Chelsea head coach Lampard was certain
it was a penalty.
He told Sky Sports: "Without a doubt. I'm interested to see what everyone
else says. I spoke to the lads about how many penalties they have got here
over the last two seasons - they're miles ahead in Europe.
"It's a really clear penalty - VAR is here to make those decisions. They're
not always easy on the eye straight away for referees on the pitch - I
completely get it. But I don't get why that wasn't given.
"The referee gives it if he looks at the monitor because I don't think he'd
be able to explain not giving it. When you see the image and the headlock
that he is in. It's surprising and they have time to look at it. Sometimes
they take time but they looked at this quickly and moved on. It's really
surprising."
Azpilicueta echoed the feelings of his boss and also led the calls for the
referee to used the pitchside monitor to inform his decision.
"On the pitch, I felt that it was [a penalty]," the Chelsea captain told Sky
Sports. "I was in front of him and felt both arms around my neck and
shoulders.
"For me, the referee can't make the decision. The VAR is there and it's
difficult for the VAR to say yes or no. I told Martin Atkinson to go to the
monitor. They are the men to make the decision, so he has to take the
decision. The monitor is there for him to help. Sometimes it's 50/50 - like
I felt this was. Why not take 20 seconds to go and view it? It's a little
improvement from VAR moving forward.
"It happens and it's football. Not every time there is a contact it should
be a penalty. In England especially, you have strong contacts, physical
contacts and it's mainly if you don't have the intention of playing the
ball. I think football and especially in the Premier League with all the
great players we have, we have to seek improvements. It's not a criticism,
we can all help together to make a better league."
Even former Man Utd defender Patrice Evra agreed it should have been a
penalty and once again, questioned the use of VAR.
He said: "It was wrestling. It's a clear penalty. I can see that Azpilicueta
didn't want to say it in his interview but we have to talk about VAR.
Football people need to be in charge of VAR. Everyone knows this is a
penalty. As a United fan, I think it's 100 per cent a penalty.
"Did I see any Chelsea player going to the ref and asking to check? No.
Maybe they were too cautious to go. When you see that, the captain and
players should go to the ref and ask him to check the VAR. (Azpilicueta said
he did go and ask)
"Why do they check VAR for foul on Marcus Rashford and not for this one? I
don't understand. I am so confused by VAR."
Ole: We were the closest to winning
United manager Ole Gunnar Solakjaer was pleased with how his side performed
- arresting a run of two defeats at home in the Premier League this season -
and believed his team were the closest to taking all three points.
"I think it was two teams who played in Europe this week, it showed a little
bit in the first half and it was not the greatest," he told Sky Sports.
"In the second half, I think we pushed on and if that Stretford End was
full, we might get some help and get that ball over the line. I think we
pegged them back and created half-decent opportunities. It was a very good
block from Thiago Silva [from an Edinson Cavani shot] and a great save from
the 'keeper - he made a couple of fantastic saves against Marcus [Rashford]
- so all in all, a good defensive performance and we created enough big
chances that could have given us a win.
"We all remembered what happened to us last time after Paris [Man Utd lost
to Arsenal in the Premier League and Wolves in the FA Cup in their next two
games] so it was important that we could show that we could play against a
good team.
"We started sloppily but after about 20 minutes and the rest of the game, we
kept more possession, we created some pressure on them without many big
chances but the ones we got were big ones… Today, I thought we were the
closest to winning.
"We have a clean sheet, we had some pressure, we stopped the home run of
defeats. We wanted to win, of course you want to win at home but I think
it's a solid performance when you think of the week we've had. We've had a
very good week with two wins and a draw."
Lampard: Clean sheet shows progression
It was the second game in a row that Chelsea have kept a clean sheet -
albeit without scoring - and Lampard was pleased with the defensive aspects
of the performance.
He added to Sky Sports: "We're happy with the clean sheet. You obviously
want more than a point but to come to Man Utd, if you don't concede, it's a
good base and I think that shows and it's a progression for us.
"Was our game in the final third where we wanted it to be? No. I think
that's pretty understandable. At this level when you enter the final third,
you want to make things happen a bit more and it didn't come off for us
today.
"There were passages of the game where we had control but not with enough
penetration. There are things to improve on but we have to praise things
that are good and defensively it was very good.
"The big man [Edouard Mendy] makes a couple of saves in goal, Thiago [Silva]
was imperious, and showed his experience and quality and then Azpi next to
him. They are good personnel in there, defending and making the right
decisions. It's a great thing for us.
"It's a base but we want more. It's not a beautiful thing going forward
because we want more. We should certainly be happy with some of the things
we've seen defensively now."
Evra and Hasselbaink clash over
performance
Evra was joined by former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the Sky
Sports studio and the pair clash when discussing the game overall - you can
click play on the video above to watch.
Former Man Utd defender Evra explained his stance, saying: "For United, I
would say we kept a clean sheet, especially when there has been a lot of
criticism of Lindelof and Maguire and they played a really good game. But
I'm talking about the whole game - it was boring.
"If they had leaders in this Man Utd team, they wouldn't play with fear. I
don't want to be harsh on them but they were coming from that heavy loss to
Tottenham and I think they recovered so well against Newcastle, against PSG
and today, I wanted to see United playing without fear, no matter if we
concede goals. That's my worry."
Hasselbaink also said: "I want to see entertaining football but I understand
why they play with five and why they are looking for a clean sheet because
they need to gain confidence at the back. I want to see goals and people
running forwards, but Chelsea are not there yet. They are improving
step-by-step.
"They conceded three goals against West Brom and Southampton and it hurts
your confidence a little bit so they should gain confidence from this
defensively today. But now, it's about the balance and how can we get the
balance right with scoring goals and keeping cleans sheets."
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