Premier League forced to release three VAR statements amid Chelsea vs Newcastle drama

Chelsea and Newcastle played out an entertaining game at Stamford Bridge which ended in the Blues' favour as the Premier League's early kick-off was stopped a few times for VAR.

The Blues took the lead on 18 minutes when the visitors were cut open by a tantalising through ball. Pedro Neto was first on to it and crossed for Nicolas Jackson to finish confidently. The advantage didn't last, though, as Eddie Howe's team equalised through Alexander Isak's close range finish.

Chelsea were quick off the blocks at the start of the second half as the space opened up for Cole Palmer and he fired it past Nick Pope. The Blues nearly made it three moments later, but Neto's header smacked off the post.

Victory for Chelsea moves them up to fourth before Arsenal's late game against Liverpool in the Premier League. During the match, there were three occasions where the Premier League had to explain VAR calls.

VAR initially got involved after the fourth minute when Palmer thought he had given Chelsea the lead. However, despite the goal standing on the pitch, the officials at Stockley Park overruled the on-field decision.

Explaining the decision, the Premier League's Match Centre wrote: "Cole Palmer's goal was, initially, awarded on-field. The VAR checked and confirmed that Palmer was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed."

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VAR was used, once again, to determine two tight calls in the build-up to Isak's goal. This time they awarded that the striker was not offside with their explanation more succinct, saying "The referee's call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Isak was in an onside position."

The Premier League's VAR officials got involved for a final time in the late stages - when Simon Hooper awarded a penalty to the Blues for Dan Burn's challenge on Christopher Nkunku. However, after VAR advised him to go to the monitor and the foul was overturned.

Explaining this decision, the Match Centre added: "The referee awarded a penalty to Chelsea for a foul by Burn on [Christopher] Nkunku. The VAR deemed that no foul was committed and recommended an on-field review.

"The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball."

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