Mauricio Pochettino is adamant Chelsea should have had a penalty for Jack Grealish’s handball (Photo: YouTube / Getty)
Mauricio Pochettino is adamant that Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty in their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.
Chelsea were made to rue their missed chances after a late Bernardo Silva strike sent City to back-to-back finals at the Blues’ expense.
Pochettino’s side played very well but just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net, though they perhaps should have been given a great chance to score during the second-half.
In the 55th minute, Cole Palmer hit a free-kick at goal, which clipped the arm of Jack Grealish in the wall and deflected just wide of the post.
Shockingly, referee Michael Oliver completely missed that the ball touched a City player and gave a goal kick instead of a corner, much to the disbelief of Chelsea’s players and coaching staff.
But the incident should have arguably led to a penalty – albeit a harsh one – with Pochettino instantly signalling to the officials what had happened.
VAR had a very quick look but did not give the spot-kick and an exasperated Pochettino voiced his displeasure in his post-match press conference.
Asked if he thought it was a penalty, the manager replied: ‘I don’t know. I think you had a better view.
‘From the touchline, it was difficult to see if it was a penalty. I was talking [to the referee] because after Jesus [Perez, Chelsea assistant manager] and my staff said it was a penalty.
‘I only said to him, “Why not go and check the penalty on the TV?”.
‘I think from what I saw, [he nods his head to say it was a penalty], but move on.’
The result means Chelsea will go trophyless for the second season in a row, while Pochettino’s wait for silverware in England goes on.
His aim now will be to qualify Chelsea for Europe, with the club ninth in the Premier League but just three points off Newcastle in sixth, but up next they face a tricky test away to league leaders Arsenal.
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‘Now we are going to play Tuesday against a very good team in Arsenal,’ Pochettino added.
‘We need to be ready. Like Man City, there’s not enough time to feel good and recover for us on Tuesday. I am happy with the way we are evolving.’
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