The Blues entered the match as slight underdogs but comfortably dispatched a lackluster Catalan outfit.
Enzo Maresca’s side might have secured a 6-0 scoreline if not for three goals being ruled out for separate infractions. ..Continue Reading
Thankfully for the Italian manager, his team delivered when it mattered and secured a vital three points on a tough night for Hansi Flick and his squad.
It could have been 3-0 by the break had Enzo Fernandez’s two early goals stood, but ultimately it made little difference. The home side had little reason to protest the decisions made by Slovene official Slavko Vincic and the VAR team.
Fernandez appeared to open the scoring in the fourth minute, but the goal was chalked off due to a handball by Wesley Fofana in the buildup. Vincic reviewed the incident with VAR before making the final call.
Clattenburg explained on Amazon Prime: “Yeah Slavko Vincic immediately whistled as the ball was going in the goal, he quickly whistled to tell everybody he thinks it’s a handball. As the ball comes in that’s where he thinks he’s handled the ball, on the build up to the goal.”
He added: “This is an interesting one because he’s not the direct scorer of the goal and if they deem that this handball is accidental then therefore the goal will be given because he hasn’t directly scored.”
Chelsea continued to press, and Fernandez found the net again, but this time the goal was disallowed due to an offside call on Trevoh Chalobah. Clattenburg supported the decision:
“Does Chalobah get that touch because I think the goalscorer is onside. But that touch just in the middle just probably puts him off. He’s just got to be ahead of the ball.”
He added: “Also as the cross comes in Chalobah is an offside position and as he’s in an offside position he’ll be the one that’s deemed offside.”
The third disallowed goal came in the 51st minute when Andrey Santos, who had come on at halftime, thought he had scored, only for the offside flag to cut short his celebration.
This decision was straightforward and didn’t require further clarification from Clattenburg, a sentiment echoed by Alan Shearer during commentary.
Chelsea’s breakthrough came in the 27th minute without any interference, as Marc Cucurella’s low cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Jules Kounde.
If Chelsea couldn’t find the net themselves, Barcelona were willing to lend a hand.
Things deteriorated further for the visitors in the 44th minute when Ronald Araujo received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Cucurella, leaving Flick furious as his team unraveled before halftime.
Estevao added a second in the 55th minute with a brilliant solo effort.
His powerful strike left Joan Garcia with no chance, showcasing the Brazilian’s flair and composure.
Liam Delap sealed the win in the 73rd minute after coming off the bench, though his goal was nearly ruled out for offside. However, VAR confirmed the goal, allowing the striker to celebrate.
Maresca’s tactical approach paid off, earning a statement win over a Barcelona side considered one of the tournament favorites.
The result lifts Chelsea to fourth in the Champions League standings, with three wins and one loss from five matches.
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