Former Premier League referee and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has voiced strong criticism over a major Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision in Crystal Palace’s dramatic 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Selhurst Park. The controversial moment came when Federico Chiesa appeared to rescue a point for Liverpool with a late equaliser, only for VAR to overlook what Hackett insists was a clear and deliberate handball by Mohamed Salah in the buildup.
Liverpool, the reigning champions, entered the match under pressure against a Crystal Palace side enjoying remarkable form. Oliver Glasner’s men had gone 17 games unbeaten before this clash, including a memorable victory over the Reds in the Community Shield back in August. Despite that record, many expected Liverpool to find a way to extend their perfect league start, and when Chiesa levelled late on, it looked like they had once again escaped defeat. But Eddie Nketiah’s stoppage-time strike ensured Palace remained the only unbeaten team in the Premier League, sending their fans into raptures.
While Nketiah’s winner took the headlines, the equaliser dominated the post-match debate. VAR briefly reviewed Salah’s involvement, as replays showed the Egyptian forward’s arm brushing the ball as he leapt to challenge for possession inside the box. Hackett, analysing the incident, pulled no punches: “It is difficult to understand when you watch the replay. Salah clearly uses his arm, enlarges his body shape, and makes contact with the ball. This is handball. The referee missed it, but VAR had every chance to intervene and didn’t. Something isn’t right. Either there’s a communication issue, or a technical fault, but the evidence is undeniable—it should have been penalised.”
Hackett’s comments will only fuel the ongoing debate surrounding VAR’s consistency in the Premier League. Palace, who would have felt robbed had the match ended in a draw, were ultimately rewarded with Nketiah’s late winner, but the controversy lingers. Supporters and pundits alike were left questioning why such a seemingly “clear and obvious” incident was ignored, raising doubts about the effectiveness of technology designed to prevent these exact mistakes.
For Liverpool, this defeat marks the end of their perfect start to the campaign and a reminder that even the strongest teams cannot afford to rely on VAR decisions going their way. Arne Slot’s side will now be under pressure to bounce back quickly, but the fallout from Hackett’s scathing verdict ensures that this match will be remembered as much for officiating errors as for Palace’s triumph. Meanwhile, Palace fans will point not only to their resilience and belief but also to a growing sense that their side could be genuine challengers this season, with the ability to frustrate and outlast the so-called “Big Six.”
