Chelsea fans are feeling hard done by after two penalty shouts went against them.

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We rarely, if ever, complain about referees here. But Chelsea fans are raging after the first half at the Stadium of Light, and it’s easy to see why.

Their team were on top of this game and looked like they were going to be given the chance to take the lead. Cole Palmer was taken out by a clumsy tackle as he entered the box, and when VAR intervened it felt likely that the Blues would get a penalty.

But nothing was given.

Minutes later Levi Colwill had given away a penalty at the other end for a much more debatable foul. The Premier League match centre have now explained their logic for why the Palmer call was confirmed:

“Confirming the on-field decision of play on, any contact with Palmer occurs outside the penalty area,” they wrote. The contact did indeed begin outside the box, but it clearly carried on into the box, and it’s hard to see how nothing was given.

Chelsea punished after Colwill 50/50

The Colwill incident was murky too. Brian Brobbey appeared to pull the defender onto him to create a foul. Under normal circumstances it would be annoying – in this context it was infuriating.

The second half is still to come, and it feels like drama is on the way.

In other news…

Romeo Lavia started today, his third start in a week for the Blues. It’s a crucial moment in his Chelsea career as he finally picks up momentum.

Emi Martinez has missed today’s game against Sunderland, despite having trained this week in a mask. Xabi Alonso explained why.