(Credit: Imago)

Jack Heath

Mon 18 August 2025 16:31, UK

Richard Keys was left aghast by the intervention of VAR during the proceedings of Chelsea v Crystal Palace’s 0-0 draw.

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Both Chelsea and Palace played out a bore draw at Stamford Bridge on 17 August where neither side really inspired going forward.

The Blues new signing from Brighton Joao Pedro made his league debut for the club and was bitterly disappointing as Enzo Maresca’s side struggled to break down a stern Eagles rearguard.

Amid possibly playing his last game for the club as Eberechi Eze closes in on a move to Tottenham, the Englishman was involved in a moment of controversy when his free-kick goal was disallowed.

This incident, along with another dubious decision involving Robert Sanchez connecting with Marc Guehi in the back of the head caught the attention of commentator Keys.

Eze’s smashing free-kick was disallowed for a rule few fans actually know about (Credit Imago)

The aforementioned Eze free-kick was disallowed due to a little-known rule in the International Football Association Board’s Law 13 that states: “When three or more defending team players form a wall, all attacking players must remain at least one metre from the wall until the ball is in play.” (BBC Sport)

This applied to the Palace skipper who had moved himself within that one metre line, voiding the stunning effort from the England international.

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Richard Keys (18 August) wrote in his weekend blog about the game, stating: “On a point of law I get it that Eze’s free-kick was disallowed, but if it hadn’t been would anyone have cared?

The decision was in line with what seems to be VAR’s primary job of sucking both life and enjoyment out of the game.”

Continuing to blast VAR, the commentator raised another contentious decision where Chelsea keeper Sanchez came for a long throw-in ball which he missed, hitting Guehi in the head.

On this situation and VAR, Keys focused on VAR official that day James Bell and how he raised that the Eze goal should have been reviewed.

The commentator added: “James Bell flagged it [the Eze goal] in VAR.

“Where was he [Bell] when [Robert] Sanchez came for that long throw – completely missed the ball and punched Guehi in the back of the head?

Had Bell gone for a cup of tea?

Again – I don’t blame the ref for not seeing it, but Bell should’ve done.”

Football Insider verdict

To be quite frank, the Eagles were by far the better team and created a few decent opportunities but didn’t have enough to put them away.

On the other hand, the Blues were spared their blushes by favourable decisions and lack of intervention as they looked extremely slow against Oliver Glasner’s side.

Despite winning the Club World Cup, Maresca’s slow, predictable build-up play has always struggled against low-block sides who are reluctant to be pulled around.

Cole Palmer v Crystal Palace 17 AugustMinutes played90Touches47Key passes1Shots (on target)4 (1)Goals0(Source: Sofascore)

Cole Palmer, the supposed key creator of the Chelsea attack was lost, disinterested and a shadow of his former self in the number 10 position.

Ahead of the trip to London rivals West Ham, the west London club may not be so lucky with VAR in the next match and have to up their game if they want to challenge for the Premier League title.

The Hammers will likely play similar to the Eagles and sit in deep which could prove to trouble the lethargic and snail-speed pace of the Blues build-up play.

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