VAR played a pivotal role as referee Chris Kavanagh spotted a foul by Eberechi Eze on Madueke inside the box, leading to the decisive penalty. The goal secured a crucial three points for Chelsea. Earlier in the match, Mykhailo Mudryk's 13th-minute opener for Chelsea was canceled out by Michael Olise just before halftime (45+1). VAR again intervened to disallow Nicolas Jackson's strike from Thiago Silva's deflected cross.
Crystal Palace, enduring a challenging run with no Premier League wins in eight games, suffered their 13th consecutive defeat against London rivals Chelsea. Roy Hodgson, Palace's manager, expressed frustration about the penalty decision but acknowledged the acceptance of VAR's role in the game.
The result left Crystal Palace in 15th place, three points above the relegation zone. Hodgson's comments reflected the ongoing debate about VAR, with his reluctance to engage in discussions about referees and VAR decisions.
The victory marked a significant turn for Chelsea, emphasizing the impact of VAR decisions in shaping match outcomes and sparking further discussions about the role of technology in football officiating.
