Paqueta floored, disallowed goal, VAR issue, Chalobah role - West Ham vs Chelsea referee review

Michael Oliver had a busy first half of West Ham vs Chelsea (Image: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Is it possible to win 5-1 without playing that well? Chelsea certainly did their best on Friday against a West Ham team already looking doomed to change manager (sorry, Graham Potter) and have another season of torment.

Afterwards, Potter said he could accept it if Chelsea's undoubted superior quality had swept West Ham aside, but the flow of goals against his team was unacceptable. He wasn't too far wrong.

Under the lights and with a stir from Lucas Paqueta's early belter, West Ham did bring some life to the party. It lasted all of 23 minutes, though.

Once Chelsea were ahead they weren't going to be stopped, not by this opponent. It is almost laughable that Chelsea conspired to go 1-0 down and then 2-1 before winning 5-1. VAR and a tight offside saved them but nothing from West Ham's performance suggested that even being ahead again would be enough.

Fullkrug goal

For a match that was basically over at half-time, it had an electric and even first 20 or so minutes. We arrive at the first refereeing flashpoint already at 1-1 with West Ham having stunned Chelsea and being pegged back.

It had barely been two minutes since Joao Pedro 's equaliser when Paqueta fed Jean-Clair Todibo down the right flank. He blasted a cross in only for it to go all the way across the box to Max Kilman, who miss-hit his shot, and then the rebound well to Niclas Fullkrug.

His effort went through the crowd of black shirts guarding the cut back and into the net via Robert Sanchez' s foot. Chelsea were immediately incensed.

Enzo Fernandez , vice captain on the night, ran straight over to Oliver with his teammates following him in an animated appeal. Four Chelsea players have their arms up, protesting the goal as soon as it went in.

Fernandez is the most vocal, sprinting to Oliver and talking to him. Moises Caicedo , Tosin Adarabioyo , Trevoh Chalobah , and Malo Gusto are all there voicing their frustration as well.

Whilst Fullkrug celebrates, a VAR check by Jarred Gillett and Tim Robinson at Stockley Park was taking place. The goal was ruled out for an offside on Todibo.

Todibo's foot was still offside and the semi-automated technology did its job. It did still take a while, though, and everyone was left waiting longer than they should have been.

(Image: BBC Sport / Premier League)

This is pretty cut and dry. It is the same phase of play. It is offside. No complaints from West Ham. Just a silly celebration for Fullkrug. That's as good as it got for the Hammers.

(Image: BBC Sport / Premier League)

Chalobah elbow?

To rub salt in the wounds, Chelsea went from being behind to being ahead within six minutes, turning the game around. Pedro Neto was found by Pedro at the back post and smashed home after getting to Aaron Wan-Bissaka's blindside.

Paqueta was left on the floor in the build-up after being dispossessed by Chalobah. Oliver waved play on only for Chelsea to score seconds later.

Much like Chelsea complained about Fullkrug's goal, West Ham were on Oliver's case about Paqueta being fouled here. Chalobah did steam into Paqueta to win the ball but Oliver had good sight of the incident and gave nothing.

VAR cleared it without the need for an on-field check, which usually indicates a decision will be overturned. Paqueta was left fuming, Chelsea were celebrating.

Chalobah does have his arms out to get his body in front of Paqueta and between himself, man, and ball, but the impact is greatly exaggerated. Paqueta takes a poor touch, gets bullied off the ball, and then hides on the grass.

Paqueta appears to anticipate an elbow to the face that simply does not come. The Brazilian also asked for a foul for being stood on as Chalobah walked over him. Ultimately. he is punished and the right decision is made.

(Image: BBC Sport / Premier League)

Flaps Hermansen

It's 3-1 before we get to the next moment of refereeing attention. Chelsea score two similar corner goals to go 5-1 up with over half an hour left and it's not a spell that new goalkeeper Mads Hermansen will want to see.

For the fourth goal. Fernandez swings in a cross from the left, it is loopy and lands in the middle of the six yard box but Hermansen does not deal with it, only able to palm it backwards. Caicedo stands waiting and diverts the bouncing ball into the goal with a good finish.

Hermansen ends up grappling with his own players and has nothing going his way. Just a few minutes later, Chelsea win another corner, this time from the right, and Neto sends it in.

Once more coming into the six yard box, Hermansen goes up but is towered over by his own players and the Chelsea ones. He can't make a proper contact with the ball and it lands with Pedro.

(Image: BBC Sport / Premier League)

His flick towards goal is met by Chalobah, who turns and sends it in. Liam Delap had pinned Hermansen and Chalobah also leapt alongside Wan-Bissaka. Chelsea then celebrated as they waltzed to victory without having to do anything special at all.

(Image: BBC Sport / Premier League)

He will be targeted through out the season if this is how he deals with pressure. Chelsea took advantage and can thank set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva for having a part to play in three of the goals.