Why Eberechi Eze’s Brilliant Free Kick Against Chelsea Was Ruled Out, Premier League Explains
- Eberechi Eze’s thunderous free-kick against Chelsea was disallowed after a VAR review
- Referee Darren England confirmed Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi broke the wall rule
- Tottenham Hotspur remain heavily linked with a £60m move for Eze despite the setback
Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze thought he had stolen the show in Crystal Palace’s Premier League opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge when his brilliant free-kick found the back of the net.
Striking from the edge of the box, Eze blasted the ball through the wall, leaving Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with no chance.
Source: Getty Images
Sanchez had deliberately left a gap in the wall to monitor Eze’s strike, but the goalkeeper’s sight was interrupted when Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi pushed Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo out of position.
The ball flew past the Spaniard and into the goal, sparking wild celebrations among the Palace players and away fans.
However, those celebrations were cut short as referee Darren England was quickly called to the pitch-side monitor by VAR, per The Independent.
Premier League clarifies decision
There was initial confusion over why the goal was ruled out, with many inside Stamford Bridge believing Guehi had been penalised for barging into Caicedo.
Source: Getty Images
However, referee Darren England clarified his decision in an announcement to the crowd, stating:
“After review, away number six [Guehi] is less than one metre away from the wall as the shot is taken. Therefore, it’s an indirect free kick and a disallowed goal.”
According to the laws of the game, when three or more players from the defending team form a wall, all attacking players must remain at least one metre away until the ball is in play, Mirror reports.
Guehi’s infringement, therefore, meant the free-kick was illegal, forcing officials to cancel what would have been a spectacular opener for Eze.
The ruling frustrated Palace supporters, many of whom felt the decision was harsh. Nonetheless, the law was clear, and Chelsea were handed an early lifeline in a game where the visitors had hoped to make a statement.
How fans reacted after disallowed goal
Fans took to social media to express their frustrations following Eze’s disallowed goal that could have given Crystal Palace the lead against Chelsea.
Red Maz tweeted:
“Wall interference? What new rule is this. VAR just keeps coming up with new unheard of things 😂😂😂😂”
UtdGiggs reacted:
“Caicedo is not an active wall!! This is just robbery.”
Rush posted:
“VAR refs must be super soft. Little bit of contact and they get mad.”
Tosin Taylor tweeted:
“Corruption against palace there.”
Transfer talk surrounds Eze
Beyond the controversy, the incident added to the spotlight already on Eze, who has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park.
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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to offer around £60 million to secure the 26-year-old’s services this summer, with Ange Postecoglou keen to bolster his attacking options.
Eze had been a doubt for the clash with Chelsea due to fitness concerns, but surprised many by making the starting XI.
Eze leads Crystal Palace to first trophy
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Crystal Palace secured their first major trophy after beating star-studded Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening, May 17.
England International scored a goal in the 16th minute of the game, rewriting history for the Eagles.
Source: Legit.ng
