'Just got me angrier': Liam Rosenior loses cool over 'unacceptable' handball ruling in Chelsea draw

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Evening Standard

·10 February 2026

'Just got me angrier': Liam Rosenior loses cool over 'unacceptable' handball ruling in Chelsea draw

Liam Rosenior has delivered his verdict on Noah Okafor’s equaliser for Leeds against Chelsea

Liam Rosenior is adamant that Noah Okafor’s goal against Chelsea should not have stood.

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Okafor equalised for Leeds in the 73rd minute at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, completing an unlikely comeback for the relegation strugglers after trailing 2-0.

Goals from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer had put Chelsea in cruise control early in the second half, but Lukas Nmecha’s emphatic penalty offered the visitors a route back into the game before Okafor tapped home from close range.

In the build-up, the ball appeared to strike the hand of Jayden Bogle as he held off three Chelsea players before Josh Acheampong presented the ball to Okafor who tapped into the empty net.

The incident was reviewed by VAR and a statement read: “The referee’s call of goal to Leeds United was checked and confirmed by VAR – with there deemed to be no handball offence by Bogle in the build-up.”

When asked by TNT Sports after the game if he thought it was handball, Rosenior said: “At the time I did, I still haven’t seen it. People are still questioning whether it is or whether it isn’t.

“The rule is if there’s any contact with his hand it should be disallowed but I haven’t seen it back to make that judgement.”

Upon being informed by reporter Olivia Buzaglo that VAR determined that it was not deliberate handball and therefore the goal was allowed stand, Rosenior’s anger increased.

“The rule is the rule, from my understanding if there’s any handball in the lead up to a goal, it should be disallowed,” he added.

“So if they’ve said that, then someone explain the rules to me because they need to help the referees.

“You saying that has just got me angrier because that’s unacceptable if they’ve come with that judgement.”