The Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta was sure enough that the Blues earned and deserved a penalty for the incident concerning himself and Harry Maguire. He added that he felt the referee should have reconsidered his decision following the 0-0 draw in Old Trafford.
While Chelsea had a disagreement with Manchester United because Azpilicueta was dragged down in the box by Maguire, the England defender who draped his arms over the shoulder of the Spaniard.
There was a comparison done by the former United star Patrice Evra between Hulk Hogan and Maguire after the incident. He said that the WWE-like plot was an unmistakable penalty.
However, the referee disagreed with this decision and was determined to let the match continue in what concluded as being a 0-0 draw.
Azpilicueta, however, admitted after the match that it was indeed a tough call to make in real-time. But he agreed that VAR should have been able to clear up any anticipation. This Chelsea defender spoke after his side had gone through the draw of 0-0 with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
“A good question, on the pitch I felt yes and I felt arms around my neck and shoulders,” he told Sky Sports.
“The referee can make the decision, the VAR is there [to help]. In any situation, the referee takes the main decisions and the monitor is there for him to help.”
"I felt both of his arms around my neck"
César Azpilicueta believes he should have had a penalty against Manchester United – and questioned why the VAR monitor was not used! pic.twitter.com/Z0Q3iNgNyO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 24, 2020
“It was 50-50 so why not take 20 seconds to review it? I think VAR can improve a lot. It happens, it is football, I don’t say every time there is contact there should be a penalty.”
“In England, there is strong physical contact. In football and the Premier League always we should seek improvement – it is not a criticism we can all help together to make a better league.”
Nonetheless, not receiving the due penalty did not go well with the Blues as they feel they deserved the first-half penalty.
It is strange as even the Spaniard felt that the decision could vary and go the other way. Surprisingly enough, the referee Martin Atkinson did not spare a moment to review his decision.
It was evident on Saturday how Chelsea kept quiet in spite of its high-powered, big-money attack. The Blues was seen playing a prudent and mindful game against United at Old Trafford.
