Chelsea have referee to blame for Crystal Palace draw as Mike Dean claims ‘definite’ mistake was made

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Former Premier League referee Mike Dean thinks Chelsea should have had a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.

The Blues went 1-0 up thanks to great work from Jadon Sancho on the left wing to set up Cole Palmer for his 13th goal of the season.

Enzo Maresca’s side then took their foot off the gas and it was only a matter of time before Palace equalised – which Jean Phillipe-Mateta finally did with minutes to go in the game.

But the result could have been completely different if one refereeing decision had gone Chelsea’s way in the second half.

• READ MORE: Chelsea told exactly what they are ‘lacking’ after Crystal Palace game – it involves Moises Caicedo

Mike Dean says referee should have awarded Chelsea penalty

Pedro Neto attempted to dribble past Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell inside the 18-yard box and the latter seemingly won the ball in a sliding tackle.

However, it turns out that Mitchell went through Neto and did not get any of the ball himself, as Mike Dean explained.

“I think it’s a penalty kick,” he said on Sky Sports. “I think Neto’s got there first, knocked the ball away and Mitchell’s caught him from behind.”

“[The referee] probably looked at it and thought [Mitchell] might have got a touch on the ball but I’ve slowed it down a few times and he hasn’t touched the ball. I think it should have been an intervention and a definite penalty.”

In fairness to the referee, Tim Robinson, the foul is difficult to spot at full speed. The question that has to be asked is: why didn’t VAR intervene?

Given Palmer’s penalty record, he probably would have made the score 2-0 to Chelsea and guaranteed three points for his team.

So, Blues supporters have every right to be annoyed with the officials as their winless run has now extended to four games.

Chelsea had penalty decision go against them vs Ipswich Town

Chelsea were also unlucky in the 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town as another penalty decision went against them.

Filip Jorgensen rushed towards Blues transfer target Liam Delap and it looked like the goalkeeper had brought him down.

Once again, further inspection proved that wasn’t the case and that Delap rather theatrically tumbled over to make the minimal contact appear much worse.

Why the VAR did not come to that conclusion during the match remains difficult to understand.