Premier League forced to release two statements during Ipswich vs Chelsea amid referee drama

The final Premier League fixture of 2024 was not without its share of controversy, as Chelsea suffered a 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town, a result that heavily hinged on VAR interventions. The match saw three goals, though only two stood after critical refereeing reviews, both favoring Ipswich.

The loss marked Chelsea’s third consecutive match without a victory under Enzo Maresca, a slump that has seen the Blues drop from second to fourth in the Premier League table. This leaves them trailing leaders Liverpool by 10 points, with surprise contenders Nottingham Forest leapfrogging them and Arsenal, Newcastle, and Manchester City taking advantage of Chelsea’s misstep.

The match at Portman Road had no shortage of drama. VAR was called into action twice in decisive moments, impacting the outcome significantly. The first incident occurred in the 10th minute when Ipswich were awarded a penalty after Liam Delap was brought down in the box by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. Despite protests from Jorgensen and his teammates, VAR confirmed referee John Brooks’ decision, concluding that there was sufficient contact for a penalty. Delap converted the spot-kick, giving Ipswich an early lead.

Later, in the 24th minute, Chelsea thought they had equalized through Joao Felix, who finished Cole Palmer’s free-kick delivery. However, VAR intervened, scrutinizing the play and ruling Felix offside by a narrow margin. The decision, confirmed by Match Centre on X (formerly Twitter), disallowed the goal, leaving Chelsea still trailing.

Ipswich sealed their victory early in the second half when Omari Hutchinson, a former Chelsea youth player, scored their second goal. His effort required no VAR review, as he was clearly onside, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Chelsea’s bright start to the 2024/25 campaign has dimmed with this winless run, and they face mounting pressure to return to form as the new year begins. Ipswich, meanwhile, celebrated a significant win, with their use of VAR-supported decisions proving crucial in overcoming the Premier League giants.