Chelsea's clash with Tottenham Hotspur ended in a draw, with both sides taking home a point each thanks to a late header from Harry Kane. However, Kane's 96th-minute goal wasn't the only event to make headlines, as Spurs defender Cristian Romero had pulled Blues full-back Marc Cucurella's hair just moments earlier.
The hair-pull, if it had been punished, might have seen Romero get sent off and could potentially have changed the outcome of the resulting corner, with Spurs down to 10 men. However, it was overlooked by referee Anthony Taylor, as Mike Dean (who was in charge of VAR) did not ask Taylor to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
Dean admitted that he made the wrong decision in his Daily Mail column, explaining:
"For the second goal by Harry Kane, I asked referee Anthony Taylor to wait while I looked at the incident involving Tottenham's Cristian Romero and Chelsea's Marc Cucurella. I could not award a free-kick as VAR, but I could recommend to Taylor that he visit the referee review area to consider a possible red card."
He added:
"In the few seconds I had to study Romero pulling Cucurella's hair, I didn't deem it a violent act. I've since studied the footage, spoken to other referees and, upon reflection, I should have asked Taylor to visit his pitch-side monitor to take a look for himself. The referee on field always has the final say."
He further wrote:
"It’s disappointing for me as this was one incident in an otherwise very good weekend from our officials."
Mike Dean's decision not to recommend a viewing of the incident to the on-pitch referee may have likely changed how the eventual result unfolded.
Tottenham set to beat Chelsea and Manchester United to wonderkid signing: Report
According to Mirror, Spurs have taken the lead in the race to sign Blackburn Rovers starlet Ashley Phillips. The highly-rated 17-year-old enjoyed a breakout season last year and has been on the radar of English powerhouses.
With Phillips in the last year of his contract, Tottenham have decided to make their move ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea. Antonio Conte’s side hope to make him their eigth signing in a busy transfer window.
Phillips has featured regularly for Blackburn’s youth team. He is expected to provide the north Londoners with extra depth in defense throughout the season.
Philips has continued his development this season, already earning himself a promotion to the first team where he has started the last three games. One of those matches, a 3-0 loss to Reading, was watched by Tottenham director of football Fabio Paratici, with the Italian hoping to finalize a deal imminently.
GoodOnePhillip
0
Now what are those paragraphs at the end for? for VAR?
nukaelprt
0
So what?
Kieadmnru
1
var always eat fries and chicken on duty and maybe too much beers who knows
pekceilmpz
1
how could VAR not seen this sure, not time Anthony should not be given Chelsea games we saw alot on that game
yimadeotu
3
The judges, they will send you in jail for 45 years. Afterwards, they will tell the world, it was a mistake 🤣🤣🤣🤣. crazy world we living in.
MaholaJoshua
1
Who is hired you and how much are they paying you
MaholaJoshua
1
He is the reason why we drew that game, so at the end of the day they do not get punished, he must be punished, not him alone, they must look back at all the games he and the VAR people caused chelsea
Zecbcdkty
2
USELESS MFs!!!
Tenaioprsz
1
we dont need apology in this, after you have cut our head off and stop us from winning the game.. i want to see this your act of blindness to other clubs
Jakababa1
0
of what help now? useless
duccilmpz
1
Won’t change the games outcome apologising now 🤷♂️. Taylor hates Chelsea and that’s a fact .
Kosacimrtu
2
How about this incident?Why this is not mention?
Diuemnoryz
0
The damage has been done already no punishment for var
FaithEvans
2
this wasn't Tailor's first time to show his hatred for Chelsea. No sane fan should want the bias Tailor to officiate our matches again. If he claims he didn't see the offence why would he be chosen to officiate, blind referees are not chosen by English FA. He's simply concocting a story to earn himself a reasonable excuse.
How many of you saw it before the replays?
bludawn_
1
medicine after death
Doybdklotz
1
No sane fan of Chelsea will see Tailor's act as a mistake. Only those who don't have a credible winning team like Chelsea will utter " a mistake that can happen... " Tailor is a crook, period.
Doybdklotz
1
this wasn't Tailor's first time to show his hatred for Chelsea. No sane fan should want the bias Tailor to officiate our matches again. If he claims he didn't see the offence why would he be chosen to officiate, blind referees are not chosen by English FA. He's simply concocting a story to earn himself a reasonable excuse.
ronjam
0
Mike Dean and Anthony Taylor are a bunch of idiots.
titacemnou
1
Why telling us now.....
[image]
see you nothing can change
Bizwel23
5
Why telling us now.....
atlantis89
1
End of week 2, score will still be at 2-2. Nothing is going to change. Why still yapping?? Just apply and be a referee to ref the game yourself..should be an easy job for those keyboard warriors right?
fukcdikstz
3
very soon you'll be complaining of lack of job, after studying officiating for 20 years you're telling us that you're still a learner. welcome robot.
dannyreignz
0
what's the point of telling us now
HenryStephen
0
rubbish the referee was some metres close to the incident VAR is just screen.
hoebdmrz
1
this is medicine after death Ref. and the VAR are enemies of Chelsea.
Hukbmsuyz
1
And they can’t even punish him
dieaelmsuz
2
I think the is right for FA to start punishing ref. for this kind of careless and wicked discussion, if it is the time of only refs, but VAR is also there to help them. for me that VAR is just there to punish the team that the ref is against simple
crrspo
0
this is normal mistake and it can happen to anyone this is not the first VAR crack out brain but we learn how to take it
this is not a normal mistake that's why they introduce VAR so you can't call it a mistake
crrspo
1
they intentionally did it, it was was not a mistake from them
Jaslight
6
Mike Dean, Anthony Taylor, Clatherborg and Web are all the most corrupt Refs in EFA
Veejoe47
1
Medicine after death, Rubbish
Bommorsuyz
0
They are all about £ stop lying you don’t know what to do just goooooooood to show cards to avoid pressure
Jaslight
1
How can they allow 2 corrupts bast**d to officiate such important matches. I know if it were to be Tottenham leading and such happened they would have shown it an hundred times in a minute. Can this bring back 2 points lost cox he's saying it as if it was happening 4 d 1st time.
hiwbdlmnpu
3
I even don’t why FA keeps giving this man to officiate Chelsea matches?? I would’ve banned this trash from officiating Chelsea matches till his death 😫
Cyrus7
0
FA is against Chelsea period 😏
Wimbcetuy
2
Association of a confused Ref==
Okekechibuezepaul
0
so what is the 3point coming back let him go to hell as if is a new thing to him
BasitAzeez11
0
there Rob chelsea
Hesbilmrst
2
ref should have a post match confrence and explains to the media
beoadnuyz
1
your keep Conniving against Chelsea, the club will still get what she destined for.💪💙
nanciknoyz
0
you both have agenda with Chelsea fc
zaobeikprt
0
foolish man
Mikellovenkrand
0
Always a Campaign against Chelsea.
Cukcdnostu
0
foolish family of FA.. WILL THIS UR USELESS APOLOGETICS IS HIGHLY USELESS
dokbcknptz
1
I remember some 3 seasons or so back, there was an incident involving Song of Tottenham. He booted an opponent while lying down on his back. He was given RED CARD. Later in the week, there was a 'said' meeting where the red card was revoked. Now that there has been a review and it has been agreed that Cucurella incident was a red card offence, would the red card be given? OR the decision stays BECAUSE he IS a TOTTENHAM player?
Yayacdikmr
0
if the decision favor u take it and if it doesn't learn how to take it
Yayacdikmr
0
this is normal mistake and it can happen to anyone this is not the first VAR crack out brain but we learn how to take it
hueacinsyz
3
Useless Man🤷🏾♂️
ciaackmpy
1
very soon to start with apology on Chelsea
wozilmnu
0
back chase