Taiwo Awoniyi Sparks VAR Overturn in Chelsea’s 2-0 Slip

taiwo awoniyi was at the center of the call that put Chelsea on the back foot, as Malo Gusto was penalised for pulling his shirt and Nottingham Forest were awarded a penalty on 12’. The sequence came after Awoniyi had already headed Forest in front barely 90 seconds into the match.

Awoniyi And Gusto

Anthony Taylor first waved play on before being sent to the monitor. After the review, he overturned the original no-penalty decision and announced: "After review, Chelsea number 27 deliberately pulls his opponent, therefore my final decision is penalty kick and yellow card."

Igor Jesus then scored from the spot, turning Forest’s fast start into a 2-0 lead after 17 first-half minutes. The move began when Dilane Bakwa delivered the cross and Gusto tugged at Awoniyi as the striker tried to get on the end of it.

Taylor’s VAR Decision

The Premier League Match Centre posted that the referee overturned the original decision of no penalty to Nottingham Forest on 12’. Alan Smith called it "a definite shirt pull" and said, "It's just ridiculous, though. Try and get goal-side, don't just tug his shirt. Such lazy defending from Malo Gusto, and it's cost his team."

Mark Schwarzer reached the same conclusion in live discussion, saying, "I think this will be a penalty." He added, "Surely it has to be? It's not just a small tug, it's a full pull. I would be absolutely flabbergasted if this isn't given."

Forest’s Early Edge

The yellow card mattered because the incident was not judged to be a goal-scoring opportunity, with the cross described as way over Awoniyi’s head. Even so, Chelsea were left chasing the game quickly, and the early margin meant Forest did not need to force the issue after the break.

For Chelsea, the problem came in two pieces: Awoniyi’s opener after barely 90 seconds and the penalty that followed on 12’. Forest took both chances, and the scoreboard was already 2-0 before the first half reached its midpoint.