FURIOUS EMMA Hayes blasted two controversial decisions that wrecked Chelsea’s hopes of victory over Real Madrid.
Chelsea ended up drawing 2-2 with Madrid after a late Niamh Charles’ volley was ruled offside despite the Blues ace being yards ONSIDE.
PAChelsea manager Emma Hayes on the touchline[/caption]
Niamh Charles was ruled offside when she scored seconds after this free kick
The referee gave Real Madrid a penalty for this foul
Hayes was spotted having words with match officials following the full-back’s 95th-minute goal being chalked off during the clash in Madrid.
The Chelsea gaffer argued her side “robbed of what should have been a 3-1 game”.
And she questioned a late penalty with Jessie Fleming judged to have fouled Athenea del Castillo – even though the challenge was clearly yards outside the penalty area.
Hayes said: “I could see from the bench that the tackle [for the penalty decision] was outside the box.
“So I’m absolutely shocked that those managing the game couldn’t see that.
“Of course maybe Jessie [Fleming] shouldn’t lunge in that area, but it happens clearly outside the box.
“At this level when you are in control of a game and important decisions like that go against you, it makes it difficult.
“I thought we dominated the game. We went 2-1 up. Then there is the free kick that was awarded as a penalty.
“Then we score a really legitimate goal with Niamh Charles three or four yards onside.
“It is embarrassing. I had to check why it was disallowed; was it Niamh? No. Was it Sam [Kerr] interfering with the goalkeeper?
“She was about seven yards away, no way near the keeper. I cannot understand the decision whatsoever. I think we’ve been robbed of what was a 3-1 game.”
The visitors first foray in Europe this term came a night after Hayes made headlines with her appointment as USA Women’s boss.
A job that will see the Blues chief become the highest-paid coach in women’s football with her salary thought to be around £1.6million
Before the game Millie Bright warned she and her team-mates could be in for an earful if they allowed their gaffer’s impending departure to affect their performance.
They suffered an early setback in their Group C duel when their Spanish hosts took a 10th minute lead, punishing Ann-Katrin Berger’s dodgy clearance.
Olga Carmona put them ahead with her 30-yard thumper – and Madrid’s first shot on target – taking a deflection off Bright before finding the net.
Chelsea hit back in the 41st minute with Charles giving Athenea Del Castillo the runaround before bagging her first goal in the tournament with a bullet header.
The second half saw Chelsea maintain the pressure on their hosts in an entertaining battle that saw Madrid’s defences tested.
Misa Rodriguez pulled off a series of stunning saves but was beaten by Sam Kerr’s top corner header with the Blues striker pouncing Charles’ cross.
Hopes of a Blues victory were crushed when Jessie Fleming was controversially ruled to have fouled Del Castillo in the box.
Carmona drilled in a 79th minute spot-kick to take the scoreline to 2-2.
The Blues endured injury-time disappointment with Charles seeing her injury-time effort disallowed, a decision that left Hayes shaking her head in disbelief before the final whistle.