Keith Hackett shock at controversial Enzo Fernandez call as Brighton thrash Chelsea
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was unfortunate to have a goal ruled out in his side’s defeat to Brighton, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that he did not believe there was enough force in the push from Fernandez on Joel Veltman in the Brighton area to warrant a foul.
Chelsea had been beaten by Brighton in the FA Cup the previous week, following a controversial winner from Karou Mitoma.
That had led to manager Enzo Maresca angering Chelsea fans by claiming the club are not currently capable of competing for multiple trophies at this moment in time.
His claims did appear to be backed up on Friday (14 February) though, as the Blues were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Fabain Hurzeler’s side in a rematch in the Premier League at the AMEX Stadium.
There was however, one moment in the match where Maresca and his side can seemingly feel somewhat hard done by.
Chelsea see potential equaliser disallowed at Brighton
It was the host who had taken the lead 27 minutes into that game, following a stunning touch and finish from Karou Mitoma.
Less then ten minutes later though, Chelsea thought they were level when Fernandez headed home from a Malo Gusto cross.
However, that goal was then ruled out by referee Chris Kavanagh after Fernandez was seen to have pushed Joel Veltman in the back, with the Brighton defender going to ground, just before he headed in.
Hackett though does not believe that should have been enough to rule out what could have been a vital equaliser for Maresca’s side.
Keith Hackett reacts as Enzo Fernandez denied at the AMEX
Speaking to Football Insider about the decision to rule out that goal from Fernandez for a push on Veltman, the former referee said:
“I was surprised that referee Chris Kavanagh ruled out the Chelsea goal for an alleged push. Given what we see inside the penalty area, with the holding, the pulling, the pushing, there hardly seemed to be sufficient force for the Brighton player to go down in the way that he did.”
Just moments after that goal had been ruled out, Yankuba Minteh doubled Brighton’s lead, before getting his second and his side’s third to secure an emphatic win just after the hour-mark.
That means it is now just three wins in 11 games in all competitions for the Blues, although it was claimed prior to the game that the Chelsea board are still ready to back Maresca.