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Why Cole Palmer argued with Mauricio Pochettino assistant after Chelsea draw vs Aston Villa

Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer wasn't happy with Chelsea's disallowed goal against Aston Villa -Credit:Shaun Botterill/Getty Images


Chelsea's players had to be separated from referee Craig Pawson at full-time as they reacted to Axel Disasi's late winner being disallowed against Aston Villa. Having been 2-0 down in the first half, Mauricio Pochettino's side thought they had completed a stunning fightback in the last minute, only to be denied.

Disasi's header was deemed to have come following a push from Benoit Badiashile on Villa defender Diego Carlos. Having not been given by Pawson originally, he overturned his decision after an on-field review recommended by VAR.

Pochettino was left fuming with the outcome and he wasn't the only person either. At full-time Disasi was quick to confront Pawson as the officials.

Noni Madueke - who sparked the comeback with a fine finish shortly after the break - was also looking to question the man in the middle. Disasi held him back though, shrugging the winger off with his right arm.

Badiashile joined his former Monaco teammate in surrounding Pawson as Blue shirts gathered. Madueke was booked for his involvement but Disasi was keen to go it alone, pushing Badiashile away with his left hand this time.

The denied goalscorer was keen to have his own time in speaking to the referee whilst Badiashile continued to point and stare. Chelsea assistant Jesus Perez was also onto the scene within moments of the game ending.

READ MORE: Aston Villa vs Chelsea HIGHLIGHTS

READ MORE: Why Axel Disasi's Chelsea goal vs Aston Villa was disallowed after controversial VAR decision

He pulled Disasi away, pushing Trevoh Chalobah and Madueke further apart as the inquest went on. Goalkeeping coach Miguel D'Agostino arrived soon after to clear away the blue shirts as things descended into angry chaos in the centre of the pitch.

Cole Palmer snuck in to speak to Pawson himself but was another to be pushed away by Perez. As he got a hand in the chest, Palmer turned to Perez, seemingly unhappy at being removed from the situation. The pair had a brief confrontation and exchanged angry words.

Palmer quickly turned back to Pawson only for Perez to keep up his act as mediator. In the end it took two Chelsea members of staff to prize the 21-year-old away but even then he was replaced by his manager in standing face-to-face with the orange shirted officials.

Pochettino shook hands with the entire team before asking questions of Pawson specifically. Gallagher also continued to quiz the man in the middle, shouting, "ref, ref," over the crowd of bodies in front of him before making his way over.

After the match Pochettino vented his frustration at the process that led to the goal being ruled out. "The referee didn't see the action," he said. "But then the VAR changed the decision. If the referee is saying he was fouled and then goes to check and sticks with the decision, okay no problem. But he didn't say it was a foul.

"It was a challenge that happens so many times in football. In this moment, for us, it was massive for the three points, to have success and get into European competition for next season."