Chelsea told why late Reece James equaliser against Bournemouth 'should not have stood'

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·15 de janeiro de 2025

Chelsea told why late Reece James equaliser against Bournemouth 'should not have stood'

Frustrated Cherries boss Andoni Iraola laments failure to rule out Blues captain’s last-gasp free-kick

Andoni Iraola believes that Reece James’ last-gasp equaliser for Chelsea against Bournemouth should have been disallowed, while he also agreed with the controversial decision not to send off David Brooks.

Vídeos OneFootball

Blues captain James marked his long-awaited return to Premier League action after another spell out injured by finding the bottom corner with a late stoppage-time free-kick to rescue a share of the spoils for the hosts in Tuesday night’s thrilling 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea had led at half-time through Cole Palmer’s 14th top-flight goal of the season early on and created numerous chances to extend their lead, but Bournemouth survived and came roaring back after the interval despite their worsening injury crisis to equalise through Justin Kluivert’s penalty following a clumsy Moises Caicedo challenge on Antoine Semenyo, who later smashed home to put the Cherries in front.

James had the final say from a free-kick into the bottom corner in the 95th minute after Ryan Christie had fouled Joao Felix, but Bournemouth boss Iraola feels the dramatic equaliser should not have been allowed to stand due to interference with the Bournemouth wall from Marc Cucurella.

“I’m angry because of how the equaliser has happened,” he told the BBC. “I think it’s a clear disallowed goal, it’s a free-kick, point of contact.

“Cucurella is touching our wall and doesn’t allow the yard it has to be and I don’t understand. I understand here, 94th minute, Stamford Bridge, the pressure, but there is someone in the VAR who only has to check this.

“A free-kick, point of contact, they are correctly placed or they are not. You can see in one second, they are not. It should be disallowed.”

Iraola added: “One goal that you can check in two seconds. Cucurella is touching Semenyo, the last man in the wall in the point of contact... it should be very easy. Point of contact, is not in a legal position? Yes, that’s it disallowed, finished, we win the game.”

Current laws state that when three or more defending players form a wall, all attacking players must remain at least one yard away until the ball is in play.

While Iraola felt that Chelsea’s late equaliser should have been chalked off, he agreed with the decision not to send off Bournemouth winger Brooks for a challenge on Cucurella early in the second half that halted a quick counter-attack.

Referee Robert Jones was sent by VAR Graham Scott to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, after which he produced a yellow card for the Welsh international, with the Premier League Match Centre explaining that his actions had been deemed reckless but not constituting violent conduct.

The decision infuriated Chelsea, with Enzo Maresca bemoaning the lack of a sending off after the full-time whistle.

However, Iraola said: “It was not violent. He just tries to grab him. It is not something violent. I don't understand why VAR gets involved in these things. I don't understand a lot of things from the referee today.”