UMVA has learned that Chelsea saw two clear‑cut penalty claims brushed aside as Manchester City clinched a 1‑0 victory in the FA Cup final.
In the dying moments of the first half, Joao Pedro surged into the box only to be met by a powerful shoulder clash with Abdukodir Khusanov, prompting a roar from the Chelsea bench for a spot‑kick.
VAR officials reviewed the incident but chose not to summon the referee to the monitor, allowing play to continue without a penalty.
Analysts observing the clash noted that the contact was shoulder‑to‑shoulder and that both players were fully engaged with the ball, arguing that the on‑field decision was defensible.
The second controversy erupted after the break when Khusanov lunged at Jorrel Hato inside the penalty area, again sparking a chorus of appeals from the Blues.
Once more, VAR examined the challenge and upheld the referee’s call to wave play on, leaving Chelsea’s hopes of a second spot‑kick extinguished.
Sources close to the team revealed that interim coach Calum McFarlane believed the Hato‑Khusanov collision warranted a penalty, comparing it to a similar incident in a recent league match.
Ultimately, Antoine Semenyo’s audacious back‑heel strike in the second half proved decisive, sealing the trophy for Pep Guardiola’s side and leaving Chelsea to rue the moments that never came.
