“Fans Outraged: Palace Goal Mysteriously Ruled Out for Offside — Even Though Mateta Was in His Own Half?! Here’s the Shocking VAR Twist

Why Crystal Palace’s Early Goal vs Spurs Was Ruled Out by VAR Despite Mateta Starting in His Own Half

Crystal Palace thought they had grabbed an early lead against Tottenham Hotspur when Ismaila Sarr calmly slotted the ball home in the opening 10 minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Eagles, eyeing momentum ahead of their looming FA Cup final clash with Manchester City, looked to have made the ideal start—until VAR stepped in.

Although the goal initially stood, a closer review of the build-up revealed an offside infringement involving Jean-Philippe Mateta. The striker, who appeared to have been in his own half at the moment the pass was played, was deemed offside not by his feet, but by the position of his upper body.

According to an explanation issued by the Premier League’s official Match Centre on X (formerly Twitter), Mateta’s shoulder—considered a valid part of the body for playing the ball—had edged just ahead of Spurs defender Djed Spence, who had slightly crossed into Palace’s half. That marginal advantage was enough for VAR to recommend the goal be disallowed.

Despite the disappointment, Palace maintained their composure, continuing to outplay the hosts. Eberechi Eze stepped up with a standout performance, scoring twice to hand Palace a firm grip on the match.

For Tottenham, the evening worsened with the early injury withdrawal of key attacker Dejan Kulusevski. With just under two weeks until their crucial Europa League final showdown with Manchester United, the Swede’s knock will be a major concern for Ange Postecoglou.