Madueke Fuming After Disallowed Goal Sends Chelsea into VAR Frenzy
Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa was overshadowed by a disallowed injury-time goal and a furious reaction from young forward Noni Madueke.
Disallowed Goal Ignites Chaos
Madueke and his teammates believed they had secured a dramatic victory when Axel Disasi headed home in the 96th minute. However, a lengthy VAR check overturned the goal, with referee Craig Pawson citing a foul by Benoit Badiashile in the build-up.
This decision enraged Madueke, who stormed towards Pawson after the final whistle and vented his frustration. He was eventually restrained by Chelsea coach Jesus Perez. According to reports, Madueke and Badiashile could be heard arguing, “It’s wrong, you know it’s wrong. You know it. You know it!” while gesturing towards the referee.
Chelsea thought they'd won it before the goal was disallowed
What a match at Villa Park 🔥
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Disasi, who scored the disallowed goal, attempted to calm Madueke down but the damage was done. Pawson responded by showing Madueke a yellow card before speaking to Cole Palmer, who also seemed to voice his disapproval.
Madueke and Pochettino Question Decision
When asked about the disallowed goal, Madueke offered a blunt response to BBC Sport: “Should it have been three points? Yes. Do I think the goal should have stood? Yes. Nothing else to say about the situation.”
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino echoed these sentiments, criticizing VAR for “damaging English football.”
“Everyone that was watching the game will feel disappointed,” Pochettino remarked on TNT Sports. “Two different things – the referee said it was a foul and disallowed the goal and then going to the VAR to confirm.
The referee is unbelievable and it’s ridiculous. It is difficult to accept, these type of things in the semi-final [FA Cup against Man City] two weeks ago it was handball and it was no penalty, the referee he didn’t check it.”
Pochettino continued, “It is painful as it has damaged English football and I think Villa players and their fans didn’t understand why the goal was disallowed.
They said it was foul and if you see the challenge what happened if we go into every single challenge like this it is going to be a foul and we wouldn’t finish the game with 11 [players].
We can talk about the performance or the decision – it is damaging the game. I am calm and it is only to help. Now, we have to move on and it will be in the headlines with the disallowed goal.”
Match Recap
The dramatic ending overshadowed a thrilling match. Chelsea found themselves trailing 2-0 at halftime after goals from Marc Cucurella (own goal) and Morgan Rogers. However, a spirited second-half performance saw them draw level thanks to goals from Madueke and Conor Gallagher.
Villa, chasing a Champions League spot, will likely feel they were fortunate to escape with a point. While they remain in fourth place, the door is now ajar for Tottenham Hotspur, who have three games in hand.
Chelsea, despite the late controversy, can still secure European qualification with a strong finish to the season.
