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6 months ago
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Mauricio Pochettino did not hold back when discussing how ruinous VAR can be, delivering an extraordinary monologue in response to Chelsea having a late winner ruled out.
'Damaged myself, damaged my team, damaged my players, damaged my fans, damaged football,' he said after seeing Axel Disasi's strike disallowed for a nudge in the back by Benoit Badiashile on Diego Carlos.
It might have been a foul. It might not have been. What we do know is referee Craig Pawson had a perfect view in real time. He was 10 yards from it, unobstructed, and gave Chelsea the goal which would have completed a terrific turnaround from 2-0 down at half-time.
Referees' chief Howard Webb insists he does not want VAR to 're-referee' games - it is supposed to be reserved for correcting howlers - but that was what happened here.
Chris Kavanagh told Pawson he had missed a clear and obvious foul, despite the referee's excellent view of the incident.
Mauricio Pochettino said he was 'damaged' after Chelsea saw a winner ruled out at Aston Villa
Axel Disasi looked to have stolen all three points for the Blues after steering home late on
But referee Craig Pawson was advised to check his monitor by VAR after a foul in the build-up
That was why Chelsea erupted at full time, with Badiashile among those booked. Yet once Pochettino and his players have stopped simmering, they should take pride in this performance.
Their injury list is so long and covers such a variety of positions that you could make from it an XI worth £486million.
Despite that, Chelsea took the game to the Champions League chasers, and left with the least that they deserved. Show more of this desire against Tottenham on Thursday and they might fancy a morale-boosting victory.
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