Former Premier League official Peter Walton believes that Brighton’s winner against Chelsea in the FA Cup would not have stood if VAR was in operation.

Speaking exclusively to Chelsea News (courtesy of talkSPORT BET), Walton agreed with Enzo Maresca’s assessment that there was a “clear handball” from Tariq Lamptey in the build-up to Kaoru Mitoma’s goal:

“Yes, I do [think it was handball]. I think Lamptey almost controls the ball with his arm. You could say that it was a reaction to the ball coming back to him at a very short distance but the outcome of his handball led directly to a goal being scored and even in law it says, if there’s a handball and it leads directly to the goal being scored, it should be ruled out. ”

“So I think in that instance there, Jarred Gillett didn’t have the view that we were afforded from TV cameras because he was just to the left of Lamptey and it was Lamptey’s right arm that caught the ball. I don’t think he had the view that you and I probably saw. People would ask for VAR and VAR would have intervened there and would have disallowed the goal, or at least told Mr Gillett to go and have another look.”

Why wasn’t there VAR at the game?

The FA are keen to have parity between all cup ties and, with VAR not in operation below the top tier, it has been decided that, for fairness, its use will not be permitted in the competition until the fifth round.

As it was the fourth round, the Brighton v Chelsea tie had to rely on the officials getting the decision right on the pitch. Ironically, when the two sides face off again on Friday, VAR will be utilised.

Chelsea have two competitions to focus on

Following their exit from the FA Cup, the Blues can now prioritise a top-four finish in the Premier League and progressing further in the Conference League.

It is, however, another opportunity missed for the club to win their first trophy since 2021. The club have still not lifted a single piece of silverware since the arrival of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Find out who is in Chelsea’s first-team squad for 2024/2025 season here