Why Cole Palmer's goal vs Wolves should NOT have stood due to little-known rule
Chelsea star Cole Palmer scored a world class goal against Wolves on Sunday, but footage shows that the goal should have been disallowed.
The second week of Premier League fixtures finished on Sunday following Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brentford at Anfield.
Earlier in the day, Chelsea got their first win of the season as they dominated Wolves in an impressive 6-2 victory that saw standout performances from Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer.
However, it has now been revealed that the stunning goal scored by Palmer in that match should not have stood due to one little-known rule.
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Palmer's goal, the third of the match, was perhaps the best in the game as he made capitalised on a mistake from Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa, lobbing him when he had come off of his line shortly before half-time.
However, as shown by beIN SPORTS, the pass from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to striker Nicolas Jackson, was illegal and therefore, Palmer's goal should have been disallowed.
Slow motion footage broadcast after the match shows that the ball was rolling when the Spaniard kicked the ball to Jackson, which under Premier League rules, is not allowed.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS, host Richard Keys said: "It's rolling. Strictly speaking it should be disallowed."
In this scenario, the rules dictate that play should have been restarted, meaning that Palmer's goal would not have happened.
However, luckily for the Englishman and his club, VAR officials are instructed not to check for restarts and therefore, as the referee did not notice the ball rolling ahead of the kick, the goal was allowed to stand as both Jackson and Palmer were onside.
Shortly after the goal, fans immediately took to social media to praise the Palmer, who had already assisted the match opener from Jackson, and claim that the goal of the season may have already been decided.
He then went on to assist a further two goals in the match, creating two chances for teammate Madueke who scored a second-half hat trick.
Chelsea's next match will be the second leg of their Europa Conference League play-off match against Swiss club Servette, who they defeated 2-0 at Stamford bridge in the opener of the tie.
In the Premier League, The Blues will face fellow London club Crystal Palace next time out.
Topics: Premier League, Chelsea, VAR, Cole Palmer, Football, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ben McCrum