Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League third round has been overshadowed by yet another VAR controversy.

Fulham thought they had opened the lead when Joshua King’s strike in the 21st minute hit the back of the net. However, celebrations were cut short after referee Robert Jones, advised by VAR Michael Salisbury, reviewed the buildup and decided that Rodrigo Muniz had fouled Trevoh Chalobah by stepping on his foot before the goal.

The decision left Fulham furious, and now the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has confirmed that the intervention was incorrect.

In their review, PGMOL concluded that the incident did not meet the “clear and obvious error” threshold required for VAR to get involved, meaning the goal should have stood.

As a result, VAR official Michael Salisbury was stood down from this weekend’s high-profile clash between Liverpool and Arsenal, with John Brooks stepping in as the replacement.

From a Chelsea perspective, the Blues did enough to win regardless of the controversy. Enzo Maresca’s side showed composure in the second-half, defended well, and punished Fulham at the right moments. The disallowed goal may have given Chelsea a slice of fortune, but the 2-0 scoreline reflected their control after seizing the momentum.

It also highlights once again how VAR decisions continue to dominate the headlines in the Premier League, often overshadowing the football itself. For Chelsea fans, the takeaway is that the team is building resilience under Maresca — but they must also recognise that on another day, refereeing margins could swing against them.

For now, Chelsea move on with three points in the bag, with the Blues having amassed 7 points from a possible 9.