Chelsea 2-2 Real Madrid: 3 takeaways from contentious draw

3. UEFA needs to demote that entire officiating crew from Wednesday night as quickly as possible

My head is still shaking. I think almost everyone is looking for answers. They are not coming though. No matter if UEFA deems the offside, and penalty call, it does not change the fact that the west Londoners have begun the Group D play tied for second. In some way shape or form, there has to be some discussion that comes out of this game. This is the Champions League. Forget about VAR. These are professionals. In no way shape or form should that goal be disallowed and that penalty be given.

You can be shocked, but at the same time, you need to realize this is not the first time this club has been hard done by the individuals donning the whistle. Remember away at Arsenal last year? What about September 5, 2021? As CFCW fans, those should all ring a bell. It’s unfortunate, but the reality. UEFA needs to learn from this for the sake of the competition.

Here’s Hayes’ take on how the final few minutes of the contest went down:

"“I could see from the bench it was a tackle outside of the box so I’m absolutely shocked that those managing the game couldn’t see that. That was clear. Of course, maybe Jessie shouldn’t lunge in that area, but it’s clearly outside and at this level. There was the free-kick that was awarded a penalty, and then we score a really good legitimate goal with Niamh three or four yards onside. It’s embarrassing. I had to check because Niamh’s onside but the reason the goal was ruled offside was because Sam was interfering with the goalkeeper.”"

2. Niamh Charles put the backpack on once again for Chelsea

If the public needs a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or, look no further than the left wing on the west London side. In Madrid, the English winger put on her backpack, and invited everyone to hop in. Her positioning is quite interesting as Hayes has gifted her freedom to act as the left back in a back four or push much higher up the pitch in possession.

You can see throughout the course of each match this season how the Blues revert to a back-three in possession. Niamh Charles continued to make a difference on the flank, playing a part in both goals, increasing her tally of total goal contributions to six across all competitions. In her 90 minutes, No. 21 finished with two successful dribbles, and five touches in the opposition’s box, good for second on the team.

She has come a long way since the 2021 Champions League Final. If you were watching the game, Charles made an unforgettable run that concluded in her thumping the ball into the back of the net. When Ashley Lawrence let the ball go off her left boot, the English defender was no even in the television picture. One second she wasn’t there, the next she was. When you think there is nothing more she could do to dazzle, Charles finds a way. She has been improving exponentially since her transfer to west London, learning to use her attacking talents as a wing back. If you’re not on the bandwagon yet, it’s not too late to join. The ceiling is through the roof for No. 21.