Credit: Imago, Sky Sports Premier League

Evan Lloyd

Sun 25 January 2026 16:16, UK

Darren England should have received help from VAR referee Matt Donohue after a moment involving Pedro Neto in Chelsea’s win at Crystal Palace.

Chelsea beat Palace 3-1 in the Premier League, in what was an action-packed 90 minutes at Selhurst Park.

Despite a strong start from the home side, the visitors took the lead through Estevao in the 34th minute, before Joao Pedro doubled the advantage after the break.

After a lengthy check, Enzo Fernandez converted from the spot to give Chelsea a 3-0 lead, before Adam Wharton was sent off to compound Palace’s misery, despite Chris Richards‘ late goal.

Glasner’s relationship with the Palace board has deteriorated in recent weeks, and Sunday’s calamity will not have helped the situation.

Pedro Neto could have seen red for ‘stamping action’

When Ismaila Sarr was brought down in the first half, eyes were immediately drawn to the man who had brought him down.

Moises Caicedo has come close to several red cards this season, and he was lucky to avoid another after tripping Sarr while on a yellow card.

England gave the midfielder the benefit of the doubt, and perhaps he should have been looking at what happened just before.

Sarr had slide tackled Neto, with the Portugal international appearing to jump over the Palace man before moving his leg back to stamp on him.

Fortunately, there was little contact, and the Senegal international did not protest, but former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett said the incident should have been looked at more closely.

“Pedro Neto is rather lucky to escape any form of sanction for his actions around this challenge,” he exclusively told Football Insider.

“I do not like how, having jumped over his opponent, how he then uses a stamping action. This is not about balance when you look at the incident.

“This is on the cusp of a red card so I would have liked the VAR referee to have referred the referee to the monitor.”

Liam Rosenior extends strong start

There was plenty of discussion surrounding the appointment of Liam Rosenior, but the manager appears to have stabilised an unsettled Chelsea team.

The Blues have won four of their five games across all competitions since the Englishman’s arrival, and have now won three consecutive games.

Stronger tests are in waiting, including a trip to Napoli in midweek, and the Carabao Cup second leg against Arsenal at the start of February.

But Chelsea now look like a side with the confidence to go into such games without fear. Only time will tell on Rosenior’s appointment, but the early signs are positive.