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Fans left baffled at how Malo Gusto only got away with a yellow for challenge on Willian

Fans have been left baffled at how Malo Gusto only got away with a yellow for his challenge on Willian with Chelsea going on to beat Fulham.

On the 39th minute, Gusto was cautioned after he went in high and late with his studs on Willian, but viewers watching on couldn’t believe the Blues player wasn’t sent off.

Willian could be seen rolling around on the ground in pain, with VAR having a quick check before deciding a yellow is sufficient.

Fulham said in their match report: “Arguably the pivotal moment of the afternoon arrived when Blues right-back Malo Gusto crunched Willian high on his ankle, only to escape with a yellow card.”

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Before that on the 19th minute, Wilson looked to be in pain after he looked to get caught by Colwill as he tried to flick a first-time ball into the middle of the Chelsea area.

A free kick wasn’t given which some felt slightly unfair, with the Welsh winger staying down but did get to the physio in the end and was able to carry on.

Chelsea couldn’t do much with their chances, Gallagher clipped a cross from the byline straight into the hands of Leno, leading to groans from the home crowd on 35 minutes.

Fulham grew into the game, and those in the away end couldn’t help but mock Chelsea with cries of ‘what a waste of money’ as Fernandez’s shot went harmlessly over.

Chelsea were then given a penalty on the verge of half time, after Sterling made his way past Diop, who slid in and looked to catch the Chelsea winger’s trailing leg.

Palmer sent Leno the wrong way with a clinical, low spot kick to put to get what ended up being the only goal of the game.

Palmer also made it five out of five Premier League penalties from the spot to put the home side in front.

The second half saw Chelsea trying to push for a second, and came close to on 53 minutes when Sterling guided a free header from Fernandez’s cross against the post, and then Gusto struck the rebound way off target from a tight angle.

Just before that, Chelsea fans expressed a more furious reaction when Broja declined the opportunity to shoot, instead taking too many touches despite being well-placed in the area.

Chances kept coming for both sides, and in the 84th minute, Gallagher smacked the far post with a curving 15-yard effort.

Then Willian tried to get a late leveller, but the Brazilian watched his fizzing effort go straight over the bar.

Leno managed to keep out Madueke’s low 18-yard strike, and a goalmouth scramble right at the end was eventually cleared by Chelsea, as they held on to make it three league wins on the spin.

It sees them move up to 8th in the Premier League ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games. The Blues also pick up a fourth home league win in a row for the first time since July 2020.

Fulham, who will have lost five league away games on the run, will be 13th.

Player ratings

Chelsea: Petrovic (8), Gusto (6), Disasi (7), Silva (7), Colwill (7), Caicedo (7), Fernandez (7), Gallagher (7), Sterling (7), Palmer (8), Broja (6).

Subs: Madueke (7), Chilwell (6), Chukwuemeka (n/a), Gilchrist (n/a).

Fulham: Leno (7), Tete (6), Tosin (7), Diop (6), Robinson (7), Palhinha (7), Cairney (7), Willian (6), Wilson (6), Pereira (6), Jimenez (6).

Subs: Castagne (6), De Cordova-Reid (6), Muniz (6), Lukic (6).

Player of the match: Cole Palmer

Fulham manager Marco Silva, talking to TNT Sports: “It was a derby. There was a lot of challenges. The referee started the game as he does normally, letting the game flow, as a derby should be. Chelsea started better than us but after the first 15 minutes we started to balance the game, both sides had moments. After that we started to create some problems.

“We have to talk about the red card for Gusto, it was clear. It is hard to see how things aren’t consistent at the level that we’re at. This is the Premier league. In 10 of those moments, nine times it is a red card. it is a clear red card for me. VAR checked and this time they didn’t give.

“We tried to react in the second half. They had chances, we had chances. The game was more open and they had more space to show their quality. We showed a big, big fight until the end. Wednesday was so intense and this was another one. I have no words for my players. The support was great too. We fought until the end.

“I haven’t spoken to the officials. I don’t want to say what the fourth official said. He has the same opinion as me but it is not for him to say, it is for the VAR to decide. It is a normal decision from the referee but the help should come from the VAR.

“It is a difficult one to take and a frustrating result for us. We always want to fight and we fought again. We took more risks in the second half and became more open. The game was really balanced when they got their penalty. The VAR decision made a huge impact on the game.”

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, speaking to Match of the Day: “That is the Premier League, you watch some games and some happen like this. It was a really tough game. Overall we deserved the victory, we were the better side. We needed the three points and now I think it is four victories in a row here at Stamford Bridge.”

On Middlesbrough response: “The disappointment was that we didn’t win, the performance was good. We needed to compete against a really good side like Fulham. Big credit to our players because we played good.”

On Cole Palmer: “He’s 20-years-old and in his first season of playing. He had three or four chances at Middlesbrough but we are so happy with how he is playing.”

Momentum building: “It is important. We need to keep pushing. We have a break but that will be good for our players. Too many players played too many games so a break is good.”

Nkunku injury changes transfer plans: “No. We are talking, assessing the squad but it is not. I think Nkunku is going to be ready as soon as possible.”

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling, speaking to TNT Sports: “It was a difficult game, we got the first goal and tried to get the second. You know what the Premier League is like if you don’t get that crucial second goal.”

Three wins in a row in Premier League: “That’s the level we know we need to get to. A big club like Chelsea, if we don’t get the first goal early then we try to overdo it. We need to keep building on results like this and get better.”

Being a leader: “On matchdays you can try to help people but don’t overdo. I keep saying it, but at a football club like Chelsea, the boys need to understand what the fans demand. The goals will keep coming.”

On Cole Palmer: “Cole is someone I know very well and someone with a lot of ability. Anything I can do to help him, I try to do. He’s got his goal today. I know him from my Manchester City days and I used to see it all in training. He gets in great positions, he can time a pass or cut inside and shoot.”

On Middlesbrough cup game: “The more wins you get together as a group, you can get in a rhythm and keep building. We need to rest and look forward to that, come back here and get the win. Hopefully, we can get to the final.”

Chelsea goalscorer Cole Palmer, speaking to TNT Sports: “Fulham are a good side and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy so to get the three points is good after the result the other night.”

Missed chances against Middlesbrough: “After the game I was disappointed like anyone would be missing that many chances. You have those games and I’ve put it behind me and scored.”

Pressure of goals: “I like to try and help the team every game with goals and assists. It’s my job going forward.”

As mentioned, fans were left baffled at how Malo Gusto only got away with a yellow for challenge on Willian…

@cravenpod: What’s the point in VAR if this isn’t a red??

@LFCNathR: If you’re being consistent with other reds, then yes he’s off

@Trevorlloyd92: Stick him in a Fulham shirt and he is off.

@Ant_Mossarelli: Should’ve been sent off today too… lad needs to learn how to tackle, as both these examples are reckless and potentially dangerous challenges. As for VAR consistency… it’s getting beyond ridiculous now how sorely it’s lacking.

@mattpage2000: It’s an absolute shocking tackle and VAR thought not a red 😂 😂

@MarkRodgersURC: No difference to Curtis Jones’ tackle at Tottenham.

@SamG_MCI: Officials being consistent as always. Things you love to see.

@JeanPaulBeaman: If past tackles like that, that have been highly highlighted eg Curtis Jones then it’s a red all day and once again show that the refs are so inconsistent and or not up to it… Shocking

@toffee_tower: We’ve had players sent off for far less. Williams foot is planted and that’s a potential leg snapped. Yes it’s a red card.

@peandpastoral: 100% red and if it’s the other way it’s given as such

@madaffc: If that’s a Fulham player, it’s a red.

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