Marco Silva left fuming at VAR following Fulham’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea: “It’s unbelievable” [video] | OneFootball

Chelsea 2-0 Fulham

Marco Silva was left raging at VAR decisions for the second week running as his Fulham side were beaten by west London rivals Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Goals by Joao Pedro and former Benfica man Enzo Fernandez gave the Blues the three points on Saturday lunchtime, but the scoreline did not tell the full story as visitors Fulham felt harshly punished by VAR during the first half.

With the match goalless, Fulham thought they had taken the lead through teenager Joshua King, but the goal was chalked off after video review for a supposed foul by Rodrigo Muniz in build-up. Fulham were further incensed when Chelsea took the lead at the end of the first period, Joao Pedro nodding in with almost 9 minutes of stoppage time played when 8 had been signalled.

Silva’s misery was compounded when the advantage was doubled via a penalty, after Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon was adjudged to have handballed inside the box. Fulham felt there had been a foul and handball by Joao Pedro earlier in the move, but Argentina midfielder Fernandez stepped to score the crucial second goal ten minutes after the re-start.

“I’m here as the Fulham manager, but as someone who loves football, as a manager, former football player, as a fan… I feel sad, really,” Silva said after the match. “It’s a derby game, special game for everybody, best competition in the world with millions of people watching. I saw my team play outstanding football first half. Playing football, not trying to come here and park the bus. We know financially they’re on a different planet, but on the pitch we knew what we’re capable of and the boys were outstanding.

“After last week and what happened with us, all the controversy in the game against Man United, all the decisions from the VAR that people cannot understand because similar things for us go in another way for the opposition. We’re always here to learn, to help our players understand. But it’s almost impossible for me to make them feel that things will be balanced in the end.

“Outstanding first half. All the decisions from the VAR, from the referee, made a massive impact in the game. And second half was not at the level that I would like to see our team. I told them we cannot control all the decisions that went against us.

I want to understand - Silva

“How you disallow a goal like that [Fulham] one is unbelievable!  All the meetings we have with the referees, one of the main things is VAR is not here to referee the game. For me to disallow that goal is unbelievable. I don’t want to say any more because I’ll be punished and I don’t want that, I want to be on the bench for the next game. I don’t want to pay fines, I want to help our players. But it’s been difficult for us, the start of this season with so many decisions.

“The first (Chelsea) goal. 8 minutes of extra time. First corner. After the first corner it was 9 minutes. They had the first corner on 8 minutes, they won the second corner on 9 minutes. He has to the stop the game. It’s by the rules, he has to stop the game. I’m not saying that it’s my opinion – it’s by the rules. I checked the 8 minutes – the game didn’t stop for one second. What can I say! Chelsea won the game and we move on..

“What should be done about it is not for me to decide. I decide what my players will do in the next training session. I would like to understand, for me it’s about understanding the decisions and how they follow the protocols and rules. Sometimes I’m going to be pleased with the result. Sometimes it will not be against me, sometimes it will be against me. Two times in six days things that are impossible to understand – it’s too much for us..”

The defeat sees Fulham in 16th place with two points from three rounds of action in the Premier League. Silva’s men return from the international break with back-to-back home matches, hosting Leeds United next before welcoming another west London outfit, Brentford, to Cravan Cottage.