Chelsea saw their run without a Premier League win extend to three games after being taken to a draw by West Ham at London Stadium. The Blues flew out the blocks in the first half with Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix combining for the Portugal international to open the scoring, but defensive errors cost Graham Potter's men once again with former Chelsea star Emerson Palmieri levelling the game.
Chances were at a premium in the second half with neither Kepa Arrizabalaga nor Lukasz Fabianski tested but two huge moments occurred in the final 10 minutes. Tomas Soucek thought he'd scored the winner after he poked home Kepa's save from a Declan Rice header, but the latter was deemed offside.
Soucek was then again involved in a key moment at the other end when he blocked a Conor Gallagher shot while falling to the ground that brought vigorous appeals from the Chelsea players who were asking for a penalty because of handball.
READ MORE: Why Chelsea were not given a penalty vs West Ham after Tomas Soucek blocked Conor Gallagher shot
Moments after the incident, which was checked by VAR and dismissed very quickly, Peter Walton gave his take on whether or not it should have been a penalty. "When Soucek goes down there, you can clearly see his arm go down," he said. "Is his arm down there to prevent him from hitting the ground or is his arm there to block the ball? My opinion is if it hasn’t been given he’s got away with it, I think that’s a penalty kick."
Following the game, Rio Ferdinand then offered his perspective on the events that took place. "I was happy the referee and VAR and didn’t see it, but he more or less saved it, it was a great save," he said.
"Gallagher hits one with his left foot on the edge of the box, and from the next angle here you can see [the incident], no wonder why these players in Chelsea shirts are going crazy. He gets down really well to his left, what a save that is. I can’t believe that’s not been given."
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), state there will be no penalty if a player is falling and the ball touches their hand/arm when it's between their body and the ground, but not extended to make the body bigger.
This rule may have been the reason a penalty was not given. However, Joe Cole went on to make an important point as to why a spot-kick should have been awarded despite the fact Soucek was falling when he handled Gallagher's shot
"The crucial thing for me was the distance Soucek was from Gallagher. If he’s right next to him - two yards - and the ball hits his arm then you can argue no penalty, but when you’re that far away you get a split second, he knows what he’s doing, it’s a penalty."
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