Enzo Maresca has refused to criticize the decision to award Ipswich Town a controversial penalty in their 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Monday.
In the first half, the excellent Liam Delap went down after a collision with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who appeared to be pulled from the challenge and was left stunned when VAR refused to overrule the initial on-field decision.
“The referee's penalty call for a foul by Jorgensen on Delap was reviewed and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty,” a Premier League statement said.
Maresca revealed Chelsea the players were not impressed but urged his team to move on quickly.
“They (the players) said it's a bit soft, but we have to accept it's a penalty,” Maresca said in his post-match press conference.
Delap, who kicked the dust to land a perfect low effort in what was an overall sensational display, insisted he felt enough contact to go to ground.
“I don't know what hit me, but something did,” he said. “I just tried to get there before (Jorgensen) and he was coming out fast, so I knew he was going to hit me if I didn't get around him.
“We've had three or four opportunities where we haven't had the penalty that we probably deserved so nicely to take it and put it in the net. I've practiced them a million times so I just aim for the corner. And put it there.”