Chelsea drew 1-1 with West Ham on Saturday and a major point of discussion was Tomas Soucek’s handball which was not given as a penalty for the Blues.
Conor Gallagher’s shot was blocked by the outstretched hand of Soucek but the VAR officials did not deem it as a clear and obvious error by referee Craig Pawson.
Thiago Silva took to Instagram after the game and posted an image of the moment where the ball clearly struck Soucek’s arm.
He also posted two puzzled face emojis and with a person covering their eyes, clearing hinting at the questionable decision.
Silva wasn’t alone to be puzzled by the decision and in the post-game analysis Rio Ferdinand said: “No wonder the Chelsea players are going bananas there.
I would be going crazy.
He [Soucek] gets down really well to his left, what a save that is.
I can’t believe that has not been given.
It is unbelievable, it is lucky.”
Tomas Soucek. https://t.co/1jdH2D5SLM pic.twitter.com/WfENv2lQv1
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 11, 2023
Joe Cole also agreed with him, adding: “The crucial thing for me is the distance he is from Gallagher.
If he is right next to him, two yards away, you can argue no penalty.
But when you are that far away, you get a split second and he knows what he is doing.
It is a penalty.”
