Potter offers sarcastic response after Chelsea denied late penalty in West Ham draw amid Soucek handball claim

Graham Potter believes Chelsea should have had a penalty during their 1-1 draw against West Ham in the Premier League.

Chelsea were denied all three points despite taking the lead in the 16th minute through Joao Felix, who volleyed home from Enzo Fernandez’s aerial ball into the ball to give the visitors the lead on his return from suspension.

After scoring two offside goals, former Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri struck the hosts level, after Reece James was caught out at the back post following Jarrod Bowen’s flick on at the front post, which was enough to share the points in the London derby.

Tomas Soucek thought he won the game eight minutes from time from close range, but Chelsea’s blushes were spared when Declan Rice was ruled out for offside.

But in stoppage time, the most controversial decision of the game was made. Craig Pawson waved away claims of a Chelsea penalty after Soucek looked to have handled the ball from Conor Gallagher’s shot.

VAR opted to not overturn Pawson’s decision, denying Chelsea of a late chance to win the game in the closing minutes.

Chelsea had to settle for the draw but head coach Potter didn’t believe it was the right decision.

“It looks it,” responded Potter to BT Sport, “but these are the little things you need to go in your favour and at the moment they are not so that’s life there is nothing to complain about.

“We have to keep working. There were positives today and some good attacking moment from players adapting to the Premier League.”

Potter’s tone slightly changed when he sat down with reporters post-match, sarcastically hailing Soucek for his save.

He added: “I thought it was a good save. You need your goalkeeper sometimes to get you the points.

“I think it looks like one of those where if it was given it wouldn’t be overturned.”