Joe Cole accused VAR of sanitising football after Josh King’s goal was controversially ruled out during Saturday’s west London derby between Chelsea and Fulham.

The Cottagers appeared to have taken the lead and capitalise on a bright start when teenager King latched onto Sander Berge’s through ball, twisted away from Tosin Adarabioyo and wrong-footed Robert Sanchez.

King, 18, celebrated gleefully after opening his Premier League account but joy turned to frustration and bemusement when referee Rob Jones was ordered to review the goal on the touchline monitor.

The match official was asked to review an incident earlier in the move which had seen Rodrigo Muniz win possession ahead of Trevoh Chalobah, but the Brazil striker had unwittingly stood on his opponent’s foot.

After a brief delibe

See Full Page