Mixed VAR fortunes for Chelsea

Chelsea found themselves on the right side of two first-half VAR reviews.

Which both caused uproar at a fiercely partisan Emirates. One may have been more worthy of disdain than the other.

Marc Cucurella was accuse of handling the ball. After tangling with Jurrien Timber in the penalty box in the 12th minute. The Premier League’s official match centre explained that VAR Jarred Gillett deemed the defender’s arm “to be in an expected position with no clear or deliberate action towards the ball”.

Replays suggested that was very much เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา the case – and the ball seemed to strike his arm above the shirt-sleeve cut off anyway – yet no explanation was provided for Wesley Fofana’s stamp.

Rice had lured Fofana into a clumsy trip near the halfway line before falling on top of the ball. Perhaps frustrated by his side’s sluggish start to the contest, the Chelsea right-back aimed his studs in the vague direction of the ball while catching a meaty chunk of Rice’s thigh. Fofana was book for this indiscretion yet may have fortunate to escape further punishment.

Arsenal’s corner drought ends

It can take a while for stereotypes to fade. Brazil is still thought of by many as the epitome of international football. They lost to a nation ranked 53rd in the world last year. Stoke City will always be a “tough place to go” even though they have the fifth-worst home record in the Championship. 29-year-old Jack Grealish is still a youngster with some rough edges to smooth.