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Premier League explain why controversial Leeds goal vs Chelsea was allowed to stand
Feb 10 2026 22:10 · By James Quinlan · 29 Reads
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The Premier League have confirmed why Leeds United's late equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was allowed to stand despite calls from the home side for a handball in the build-up.
Chelsea had amassed a comfortable two-goal lead through strikes from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer either side of half-time. They were cruising to a victory with the possibility of jumping into the Premier League's top four.
However, Leeds showed fighting spirit as Lukas Nmecha pulled one goal back from the penalty spot, then with 17 minutes to spare the score was levelled through Okafor's close-range finish.
The hosts campaigned for a handball against Jayden Bogle, who had been heavily involved in the build-up by holding off a number of Blues defenders before Okafor found space to apply the finishing touch.
However, written confirmation from the Premier League has explained why the equaliser was allowed to stand.
On X, formerly Twitter , a post from the Premier League Match Centre read: "The referee’s call of goal to Leeds United was checked and confirmed by VAR – with there deemed to be no handball offence by Bogle in the build-up."