Chelsea general manager Paul Green has called on Blues players to appeal more for penalties, after his side were not awarded a spot kick during Sunday’s WSL victory over Manchester United for a Maya Le Tissier foul on Guro Reiten.
Reiten hit the deck in the penalty area after attempting to cut inside Le Tissier during the first half at Leigh Sports Village, and replays showed that the Manchester United defender had accidentally tripped the Chelsea winger without making contact with the ball. However, Reiten did not appeal for the spot kick, and there were limited protests from her Chelsea teammates.
The decision ultimately had no telling impact on the result for the Blues, who ran out 3-1 winners over United thanks to goals from Sam Kerr, Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert. Alessia Russo was on the scoresheet for the hosts.
“I think we need to [appeal more] because that’s the third game now where we should have had a penalty,” Green told Sky Sports when asked about the decision. “There’s Jessie Fleming last week against Aston Villa at home, and Jessie Fleming away at Brighton where we didn’t get a penalty.
“So I do think players should be appealing for things because at the moment they don’t seem to be giving that. So that maybe is something across the board in women’s football that needs to improve, otherwise you might not get it.”
Chelsea’s victory brought an end to United’s perfect start to the WSL season – their sixth in a row since Green and Denise Reddy took temporary charge of the first team during Emma Hayes’ absence.
The win also moves the Blues level on points with WSL leaders Arsenal – although the Gunners have played one game fewer.
Credit: 90min.com
