Premier League forced to release two VAR statements in Southampton vs Chelsea game

The Premier League was forced to release two statements during Chelsea's 5-1 win over Southampton.

The Blues sealed their third consecutive win on the south coast, climbing to second in the Premier League table. Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho were on the score-sheet for Enzo Maresca's side at St. Mary's Stadium on Wednesday night.

But the game was marked by two incidents which the Premier League had to clarify on social media. The first was the sending off of Jack Stephens after he pulled Marc Cucurella's hair in the first half.

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The 30-year-old pulled the Spaniard to the turf and after referee Tony Harrington missed the incident, he was sent over to the pitch-side monitor. The Saints defender then received marching orders.

Explaining that first-half decision through the Premier League Match Centre on X (formerly Twitter) account, the Premier League said: "38' VAR OVERTURN. The VAR recommended an on-field review for possible violent conduct from Jack Stephens. The referee then issued a red card."

The second incident took place late in the second half after Sancho netted the Blues' final goal of the night. Upon scoring a first goal for Chelsea in the league, Sancho and co were made to wait as VAR checked a possible offside.

The goal later stood with the Premier League Match Centre explaining: "The referee's call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Sancho was in an onside position."

Former referee Mike Dean offered up his view on the first incident. "Unfortunately, I was involved in one of these incidents about three years ago where I think someone had pulled Cucurella's hair, I didn't do it [send him off] but you've seen he clearly does it, he's going to be sent-off," Dean said. It's his second red card of the season, it has to be a sending off and it can't be anything else."

Chelsea will return to action on Sunday afternoon when they take on London rivals Tottenham on the road.