Graham Potter makes honest Thiago Silva admission after red card escape

Graham Potter admitted he understood Patrick Vieira’s frustration after watching Thiago Silva escape a red card for deliberate handball in Saturday’s win over Crystal Palace.

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The new Chelsea boss was able to celebrate his first win in charge following Conor Gallagher’s late winner against the side with whom he spent last season on loan.

It had looked likely to be another frustrating day at the office for Potter after he watched his side concede the opening goal of the contest after only eight minutes when Odsonne Edouard prodded home from close range.

The pivotal incident of the match occurred just after the half hour mark when Thiago slipped under pressure from Jordan Ayew and, in a desperate attempt to prevent the Palace forward from advancing on goal, palmed the ball away from danger.

Referee Chris Kavanagh opted to hand out a yellow card and with the VAR under the impression that no clear and obvious error had been committed decided not to intervene.

And Palace’s frustration was compounded moments later when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised following a Thiago assist.

‘I thought it was touch and go,’ confessed Potter. ‘The fact he was quite far from the goal saved him and it could’ve gone the other way

‘It’s a close one, I can understand Patrick’s [Vieira] frustration. It’s a 50-50 one.’

On the significance of the victory, the Chelsea manager added: ‘We’re delighted with the result. It’s a tough place to come. I thought we started quite well but conceded from the first action into the box.

‘Credit to the boys, they recovered well and did not let their heads go down. It was nice to get an equaliser and get back in the game.

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