Why Chelsea were awarded penalty for point-blank handball by Crystal Palace defender

Chelsea helped themselves to a 3-1 win over the out-of-sorts Crystal Palace, with a little help from VAR.

Winning 2-0, they were handed the chance to add a third from the penalty spot.

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The spot-kick came about when Joao Pedro saw a shot on goal blocked by Eagles youngster Jaydee Canvot.

With goalkeeper Dean Henderson off his line, if the ball had passed the 19-year-old Frenchman it would have hit the back of the net.

It did strike the arm of Canvot but referee Darren England didn’t initially give the penalty.

Instead it was reviewed by VAR who advised England to turn over the decision, which he duly did.

There was, though, only a yellow card for Canvot, which surprised some considering the move stopped a certain goal.

On pitch, the referee, England, explained: “After review, the ball hits Crystal Palace 23.

“It is an accidental handball, not deliberate. Therefore it is a penalty kick.

“However, because it is accidental, this is only a yellow card.”

Commentator Sam Matterface added on talkSPORT: “According to the IFAB laws, as of the 2024/25 league season, it’s always been the case that an accidental handball that denies a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity will result in a penalty and a yellow card.

“You don’t get a red card for the denial of a goal scoring opportunity unless it is deliberate. Someone tries to save it and stop it from going in but it does seem a bit of a harsh penalty.

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AFP

“Having looked at it three or four times you’re asking the question where does he put his arm?

“Joao Pedro fired it at him from about a yard out. It’s very very difficult for him to get out of the way but according to the laws it is a penalty and Chelsea have taken full advantage.”

Not everyone was happy about that, though, with former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann having doubt about the award.

He told BBC Sport: “In my opinion, Crystal Palace were unfortunate to concede a penalty.

“The ball appeared to strike Jaydee Canvot’s hip prior to his arm, which was in a natural position.

“No penalty in my opinion as Canvot neither deliberately handled the ball or had his arm in an unnatural position.”

After the match, Pedro told Sky Sports: “As soon as I controlled the ball I took a shot as quickly as possible.

“I saw his arm away from his body, that’s was why I asked for handball, the ref gave it and we scored.”

Meanwhile, the day also marked a new low for strugglers Crystal Palace.

It was the first time in their Premier League history that the club had let in three goals, conceded a penalty, and received a red card.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner, meanwhile, added: “I can’t imagine what it was like from the sidelines. No, I didn’t see it, honestly, during the game. But I watched it now back and the ball touches first the hip. And when it’s like this, we were briefed before the season that in this year, it’s not a penalty when it touches first your body and then goes to the hand.

“It’s no penalty. On the other side, I was shown now by my analysts that I think it was in first or second half. Trevor Chalobah had a hand ball and I think it’s the same.

“But again, it’s for me, I don’t want… It’s not the referees. The referee is not responsible for the fact that we lost this game. Of course, there were a few decisions that were not on our side.

“Because [Moises] Caicedo had two fouls in the first half, he conceded one. Adam Wharton had two fouls, he conceded two and was sent off.

“Nothing is on our side. And therefore, we have to get this back. I think we had a few moments where everything looked to be on our side. And just remember the FA Cup final, to be honest.

“Dean [Henderson] could have sent off with a red card and the penalty. And now we are facing the opposite. But again, the character of the players, the character of my staff, the character of everyone in the club gives me a lot of confidence that we will get the turnaround.”