Premier League release statement during Chelsea vs Ipswich amid Enzo Maresca nightmare

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The Premier League have explained why the Video Assistant referee (VAR) overturned the decision to disallow Ipswich’s second goal against Chelsea during Sunday's Stamdord Bridge clash.

The Blues went into the game against the relegation-threatened side looking to boost their hopes of playing Champions League football again next season.

But, despite dominating possession and shots, the hosts found themselves 1-0 down after 19 minutes when Julio Enciso put the ball past Robert Sanchez.

Ipswich celebrations for a second goal in the 31st minute were then cut short by the assistant referee’s flag. However, VAR intervened with replays showing that Enciso was just onside in the buildup to the goal.

The game at Stamford Bridge is the first one in the Premier League for Chelsea to use semi-automated offside technology. The introduction saw the decision sped-up, compared to the VAR officials going through the process manually.

After VAR review, the goal was awarded to make it 2-0 to Ipswich.

And shortly afterward, the Premier League Match Centre official X account released a statement explaining the decision, with the tweet including a graphic of the semi-automated offside technology.

“VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for Ipswich - and determined that Enciso was in an onside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was awarded,” it read.

The second goal means that Chelsea will have work to do to take anything from the game.

If it does end in defeat, then it leaves the Blues in sixth place in the Premier League table one point behind Aston Villa in fifth position.

It also gives Newcastle a chance to overtake them in the table.

The Magpies take on Manchester United in the later kick-off, and even after that game, will have a game in hand over most of their rivals.

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