Chelsea handed fresh penalty verdict as controversial Pedro Neto VAR decision takes another twist

Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has admitted he would have given Chelsea a penalty for Tyrick Mitchell's tackle on Pedro Neto in the second half of Saturday afternoon's 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. With Enzo Maresca's side still ahead at the time, Neto went down under a challenge inside the Palace area.

Mitchell, who slid in to nip possession away from Neto as he looked to enter the box for a dangerous attack, was judged to have fairly won the ball by match official Tim Robinson. The decision was reviewed by VAR as play went on in south London, but no call to have it overturned was made.

Working at the Stockley Park base, Paul Tierney and James Mainwaring analysed the incident and felt there was no need for Robinson to check it again on the pitchside screen. However, Gallagher believes that it met the criteria for being overruled on-field.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch, he said: "I go on the flight of the ball, I thought Tyrick Mitchell got the ball because of where it went. When you slow it down, you see he doesn't actually get the ball. Is it from a clear and obvious error if we have to slow it down like that?"

Former top-flight referee Gallagher added: "I thought he [Mitchell] got the ball first because of the way it travels, when you slow it down like this and you show me that, yes, you can see Neto gets the ball first.

"But we are into CSI, is it a clear and obvious error? I have said many many times here if I watch something and I think it is a penalty and the referee doesn't, I personally think that is a clear and obvious error, but that isn't what they work to."

Chelsea would end up ruing the missed chances from the first half and then this split decision. Jean-Phillipe Mateta equalised late on to further add to Maresca's winter problems.

It is now four games in a row without victory in the Premier League, including two defeats. The results have seen Chelsea slip from being considered as possible title contenders to now having a real fight for the top-four on their hands.

Earlier in the week, Maresca was also left to deal with Liam Delap's controversial penalty awarded against Chelsea during the loss to Ipswich Town. The Blues do now have over a week before their next league game in a bid to get back on the wagon again.