Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca bemoans ‘clear’ Brighton handball | OneFootball

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca believes Brighton’s second goal should have been ruled out for handball as his side crashed out of the FA Cup.

Bart Verbruggen spilled a Cole Palmer shot into his own goal to give the Blues an early lead at the Amex Stadium, but it was cancelled out soon after by Giorginio Rutter.

Kaoru Mitoma went on to grab the winner with a lovely lofted finish in the second half, although Tariq Lamptey seemingly handled the ball in the lead-up.

The incident could not be reviewed as VAR is not in operation until the fifth round of the competition, although an accidental handball by a non-scorer would not result in a goal being disallowed.

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca bemoans ‘clear’ Brighton handball

“We controlled much better the first half,” Maresca told BBC Sport. “The second half the only shots they had we conceded a goal from.

“I think the handball is quite clear. In the last two or three days there were many different moments in different games. Without VAR it’s complicated.

“We tried to come here and make our game. We had a few chances at 2-1. Now we can focus on the Premier League and Conference League.

“We always try to win the games. But in the same way you have to take the consequence of the result.”

Asked if the defeat will have any effect on next Friday’s game against the same opposition in the Premier League, the Italian responded: “I don’t think so. Different competition, different game.”

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