Dermot Gallagher believes it was the right decision to award Man United a penalty vs Chelsea
(Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Man United handed new Rasmus Hojlund penalty verdict vs Chelsea amid VAR theory and referee demand

04 Nov 2024, 13:00 by Stephen Killen · Manchester Evening News

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has agreed with the decision to award Manchester United a penalty against Chelsea.

After an underwhelming first-half display, Ruud van Nistelrooy's side were handed a golden opportunity to go in front after Robert Sanchez hauled down the Dane in the box. Holjund's touch took it beyond the shot-stopper who brought him down as he looked to smother the ball.

Bruno Fernandes made no mistake and sent the Spanish goalkeeper the wrong way, handing United the lead. However, the advantage was short-lived as Moises Caicedo levelled proceedings before both sides were forced to settle for a point after failing to find the elusive second goal.

While there were Chelsea protests for the spot-kick being awarded, Gallagher sided with referee Rob Jones. He said: "I thought penalty at the time.

"[I] Still think [it's a] penalty, [Sanchez] doesn’t get any of the ball, catches the ankle. It isn’t too dissimilar to Ederson on Anthony Gordon, which I thought was a penalty.

"Doesn’t get any of the ball. When you see it in slow motion, everything looks distorted - I think it’s a foul. He’s challenged with his arms, not taken the ball, caught him on the ankle, referee gives a penalty, I don’t think VAR will ever overrule it. We want referees to make on-field calls."

There were appeals for a penalty in the first half when Holjund went down holding his face after a collision with Levi Colwill, but nothing was given. United sit 13th in the Premier League table and will be hoping to head into the November international break with a win over Leicester City, next Sunday.

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