Chelsea's Noni Madueke thinks he has scored the second goal against Leicester but it is ruled out for offside(Image: (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images))

Why Noni Madueke goal was ruled out as Chelsea star points finger at teammate vs Leicester

by · football.london

Chelsea have been all over Leicester City in the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Blues were in complete control from the off and have enjoyed around 70% possession against the Premier League newboys.

It is a grudge match with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca returning to his old club for the first time since leaving in the summer.

Nicolas Jackson deservedly gave the visitors the lead in the 15th minute, showing great composure and great feet to flick away from Caleb Okoli and fire an outside of the right boot shot past Mads Hermansen.

There were plenty of other chances for Maresca's side and they thought they had gone 2-0 up in the 32nd minute when Noni Madueke fired home from inside the box. But the England international's joy was short-lived, with the offside flag up.

Madueke himself was not offside, having steered in the goal from inside the box following a cutback. So how was it offside?

Well, Cole Palmer's fine through ball into the inside left channel saw Marc Cucurella offside. The Spaniard was the one to cut the ball back for Madueke to score.

The Premier League Match Centre on X said: "The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Cucurella was in an offside position in the build-up."

It was a tight call, with Cucurella marginally ahead of James Justin. And Madueke was not impressed. He could be seen - with the game live on TNT Sports, pointing a finger at Cucurella and saying: "You offside."

Leicester did come back into the game late in the first half, but the first period ended with Chelsea in front by a goal to nil.

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