The Premier League has published the official VAR still images of Bruno Fernandes’ controversial opening goal against Chelsea, a decision that has sparked widespread debate across the football world. The incident came under the spotlight not only because of the goal itself, but also due to the sequence of dramatic events surrounding it, including Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez’s early dismissal. Sánchez was sent off just minutes into the match after clattering into Bryan Mbeumo with a reckless challenge, forcing Chelsea to continue with only ten men at Old Trafford.
The debate intensified when Fernandes found the net shortly after. Pundit Shay Given, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, openly questioned the legitimacy of the goal. He admitted that, based on the replays he had viewed, Fernandes appeared offside at the point of the pass. Given’s analysis emphasized the fine margins in the incident. He pointed out that while Benjamin Šeško was clearly standing in an offside position, the more complicated question was whether Fernandes had been marginally kept onside by Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, who had stepped forward slightly later than the rest of the backline.
When the Premier League released the freeze-frame images from VAR, rather than clarifying the issue, they inflamed it further. Fans across social media erupted in frustration, claiming that the offside lines drawn in the official review were questionable at best. Many supporters argued that Fernandes’ position was clearly beyond the last defender and therefore offside. Comparisons were quickly made to other controversial moments in previous matches, where goals had been disallowed under seemingly similar circumstances. One supporter complained about the unusual placement of the line, remarking: “I’ve never seen the offside line drawn so high up on the shoulder.” Another fan added, “How is that not offside if the sleeve is beyond the defender?”
The match itself continued in chaotic fashion. Just before half-time, Manchester United midfielder Casemiro was dismissed after collecting a second yellow card. Alan Smith, providing analysis on Sky Sports, criticized the Brazilian for his lack of discipline. He described Casemiro’s first booking as “needless,” arguing that it had put both the player and his team in a precarious situation. With his dismissal, United found themselves reduced to ten men as well, mirroring Chelsea’s disadvantage earlier in the contest.
Altogether, the game has become a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about refereeing standards and the role of VAR in modern football. Fernandes’ goal, Sánchez’s sending off, and Casemiro’s dismissal combined to create one of the most contentious matches of the season. Fans and pundits alike remain divided over whether the correct calls were made, and many are left wondering how much these decisions shaped not only the outcome of this particular fixture, but potentially the broader course of the season.
