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Emma Hayes felt her Chelsea side had been \u201crobbed\u201d after they were held 2-2 at Real Madrid in their Women\u2019s Champions League opener.<\/p>\n
In a contest with no VAR in operation, Real equalised through a 79th-minute Olga Carmona penalty awarded by referee Frida Klarlund for a Jessie Fleming challenge on Athenea del Castillo \u2013 which Hayes had no doubt took place outside the box.<\/p>\n
The Chelsea manager was also unhappy about Niamh Charles\u2019 finish being disallowed in stoppage time, seemingly for offside, stressing that Charles had been onside and Sam Kerr had not interfered with goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez.<\/p>\n
Hayes told reporters in Spain: \u201cI could see from the bench that the tackle (for the penalty decision) was outside the box. So I\u2019m absolutely shocked that those managing the game couldn\u2019t see that.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course maybe Jessie shouldn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding the stoppage-time incident, she added: \u201cWe score a really legitimate goal with Niamh Charles three or four yards onside.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI cannot understand the decision whatsoever. I think we\u2019ve been robbed of what was a 3-1 game.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t (ask the referee for clarity at full-time). You\u2019re not allowed to speak to the officials. Can\u2019t speak to them there (on the pitch), can\u2019t speak about it here (to the media).<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me I am going to focus on the performance, I can only control that. Everybody saw the decisions, you don\u2019t need me to comment on them any further.\u201d<\/p>\n
Real took the lead at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium through a deflected 10th-minute shot from Carmona \u2013 scorer of Spain\u2019s winner against England in the summer\u2019s World Cup final \u2013 before Chelsea hit back through two headers, Charles equalising in the 41st minute and then setting up Kerr in the 74th.<\/p>\n
After Carmona levelled from the spot, Lauren James hit the crossbar before the late disallowed effort as the visitors were unable to secure a winning start to what is to be their final Champions League campaign before Hayes leaves at the end of the season for the United States job.<\/p>\n
Hayes said: \u201cI think the performance was well controlled by us, especially away from home in Europe. We had so much more of the ball and it was comfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201c(There was) just a tactical adjustment that we had to make (at half-time) \u2013 the pivots weren\u2019t carrying out a small detail there. Overall it had to be better in the final third, either the last pass or whatever it might have been.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the team did better with that (in the second half). We hit the bar as well, we should have scored from that. We had chances, so we should be disappointed with ourselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t remember the last time we were in a game like that when two humongous decisions like that have gone against us \u2013 that is a lot tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wednesday\u2019s earlier game in Group D saw Paris FC \u2013 who Chelsea play in their next pool game at Stamford Bridge next Thursday \u2013 beaten 2-1 at home by Swedish side BK Hacken.<\/p>\n