The key incident occurred early in the second half, around the 48th-50th minute, when Cole Palmer burst into the Burnley penalty area and was brought down by a challenge from defender Joe Worrall (formerly of Nottingham Forest). Chelsea appealed passionately for a penalty as Palmer went to ground after contact, with initial reactions suggesting a foul. Referee Lewis Smith waved play on, and VAR—overseen by Michael Salisbury—reviewed the incident but upheld the on-field decision, deeming Worrall had won the ball first before any follow-through contact.
However, post-match revelations have turned the spotlight on the call. In a rare admission reported across multiple sources and pundit discussions (including post-game broadcasts and refereeing reviews), officials acknowledged that the penalty should have been awarded. The challenge was judged retrospectively as reckless or improper contact inside the box, with VAR failing to intervene despite clear evidence of foul play. This blunder is seen as pivotal: a converted spot-kick could have given Chelsea a 2-0 lead, potentially altering the game’s momentum before Wesley Fofana’s 72nd-minute red card (second yellow for a foul on James Ward-Prowse) reduced them to ten men.
The error compounded earlier frustrations in the match, including the disputed eight-second rule corner in the 7th minute (no countdown shown despite the new IFAB guideline), marginal fouls disrupting counters, and a late missed penalty shout on Pedro Neto. Chelsea had taken an early lead through João Pedro‘s fourth-minute finish (assisted by Neto), but couldn’t capitalize further. Burnley equalized dramatically in the 93rd minute via Zian Flemming‘s header from a Ward-Prowse corner, exploiting Chelsea’s numerical disadvantage and a defensive marking lapse (manager Liam Rosenior later admitted one player “marked the wrong man”).
Fans erupted online, branding it a “VAR robbery” and pointing to a pattern of costly decisions against Chelsea this season—especially at home, where they’ve now dropped significant points from winning positions. Social media clips of the Palmer incident trended, with many demanding accountability from PGMOL and calls for retrospective action (though Premier League rules rarely allow result changes post-match).
Pundits weighed in heavily. Ex-referee analysts noted the contact was “clear and obvious” enough for intervention, criticizing the lack of bravery from VAR. Rosenior, while focusing on his side’s defensive errors, described the overall officiating as contributing to a “frustrating” afternoon where Chelsea “set fire to points.”
The admission from officials—though not leading to a replay or points reversal—has intensified debates about VAR consistency, especially in high-stakes moments. Chelsea remain in the top-four mix but rue yet another dropped home lead, now vulnerable after similar patterns against lesser opposition. For Burnley, the point is a lifeline in their survival fight.
This latest VAR blunder ensures the Stamford Bridge stalemate will be remembered more for controversy than the football, with Chelsea fans left asking: how many more “costly errors” before real change?
