Fans fume at latest VAR controversy as Premier League issue explanation - 'Game's gone'

A "careless challenge" was enough to see Fulham's opening goal against Chelsea cancelled, as per referee Robert Jones. Youngster Josh King thought he had given Fulham the lead with a well-taken strike from a counter.

But the goal was chalked off due to an apparent foul on Trevoh Chalobah by Rodrigo Muniz, to the dismay of the visitors.

A statement from the Premier League read: "22’ VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Fulham."

Speaking after checking the goal on the VAR screens, referee Jones said: "After review, the Fulham 9 commits a careless challenge and stamps on the foot of the Chelsea 23. Therefore we disallowed the goal and restart with a Chelsea free kick."

Supporters disagreed with the decision, with some taking to Twitter to share their thoughts. One fan said: "Game's actually gone. How is this a ‘Careless challenge ‘ by Muniz? Every single week PGMOL is ruining our beautiful game."

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Another fan added: '"Careless challenge, game's gone," while a further supporter responded: "Shocking decision! The ref said it was careless. They're ruining football."

A another fan wrote: "Fulham’s disallowed goal is absolutely ridiculous. I thought this season they were judging fouls more strict to be ‘clear and obvious’ Soon we’re gonna be playing non-contact football."

The criticism continued to come in the aftermath of the decision, another supporter saying: "Absolutely wrong. Muniz is in full control of the ball, where is he supposed to put his foot? If we start giving fouls for small contact like this one then what is the whole actually playing a contact sport."

What did you make to the decision? Share your thoughts in the comments below

King's strike getting ruled out was a relief for Chelsea given they were handed a blow early in the game. Summer signing Liam Delap pulled up in the opening stages and was forced to exit the match in place of youngster Tyrique George.

But it mattered not to the hosts as they took the lead just seconds before the break - Joao Pedro opening the scoring for Chelsea. Marco Silva was left furious having thought the added time had elapsed.

Both Chelsea and Fulham have a fortnight wait for their next game, with the international break set to get underway next week.

The Blues' next game pits them against another of their London rivals in Brentford. Meanwhile, Fulham's next outing comes against newly-promoted Leeds United.

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