Silva Slams VAR After Chukwueze Call Halts Fulham in Derby Defeat

Fulham manager Marco Silva has criticised the VAR decision that ruled out a second-half goal in their 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, joking that “the [toe] nail of Chukwueze is too big for the sport that we are playing.” The Cottagers believed they had gone ahead in the 53rd minute when Samuel Chukwueze broke down the left, crossed into the box, and Alex Iwobi’s header hit the bar before Emile Smith-Rowe tapped into an empty net. But VAR stepped in, ruling Chukwueze offside by a marginal touch.

Silva told Sky Sports the team “scored a brilliant goal… a very good combination,” adding that Fulham tried to “start quicker, moving the ball quicker” after the break. He lamented that the disallowed goal shifted momentum, saying it allowed Palace to “come to the game… not to be there waiting for our mistake.”

Fulham struggled afterwards, failing to hit the target before Marc Guehi scored Palace’s winner in the 87th minute. Silva admitted his side’s “possession in the back was too slow” and warned they “cannot concede a goal the way we did.”

The defeat leaves Fulham 15th and four points above the drop zone. Silva also confirmed the team will now be without Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Chukwueze for a month, saying, “They are crucial for us… Chukwueze is starting to have that impact.”