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Football London
Football London
Sport
Joe Doyle

Michy Batshuayi's verdict on Harry Maguire VAR decision in Chelsea's loss to Manchester United

Chelsea fell to a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United on Monday night.

Tammy Abraham was not fit enough to start the match, and so Michy Batshuayi started up front in his place.

Goals from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire sealed the win for the visitors at Stamford Bridge, but that does not tell the whole story of the game.

Chelsea had two goals ruled out by VAR in the second half - one for an offside decision on Olivier Giroud after he had come on for Batshuayi, and another for a dubious push by Cesar Azpilicueta on Brandon Williams before Kurt Zouma knocked the ball home.

But the biggest decision of the night came in the first half.

Maguire and Batshuayi were chasing a loose ball down near the Chelsea dugout, with the defender winning the race and clearing the ball upfield.

The striker nudged into Maguire, sending him to the ground and out of play - but as he fell onto his back, he appeared to kick out at Batshuayi, catching him in the groin.

 

 

Despite the decision being referred to VAR, no red card was given and Maguire was free to continue playing - before going on to score the goal that sealed the win for the visitors.

After the game, Batshuayi took to Twitter and gave a short reaction to the decision.

Frank Lampard's side are still fourth in the table, but the chasing pack are closing in, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side now just three points behind, Sheffield United two behind and Spurs just one point back in fifth.

Up next for Chelsea is Jose Mourinho's side at Stamford Bridge, with a win of utmost importance for Lampard's side, who have now gone four games without a win.

Chelsea have won just one of their six Premier League games since the turn of the year, and have taken just 15 points from their last 13 games.

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