Rodgers stunned as Leicester embroiled in fresh penalty controversy after Rudiger handball
Brendan Rodgers says he has lost ‘hope’ of receiving future penalties after Leicester had a good shout denied for the second time in a week against Chelsea on Saturday.
The Leicester manager was exasperated after being a denied a spot kick in their Carabao Cup defeat against Aston Villa in midweek and was stunned again when Antonio Rudiger escaped a crucial handball shout in stoppage time against Chelsea.
The Chelsea defender clearly handled a Harvey Barnes cross in stoppage time at 2-2, though initially it appeared accidental as he had his hands were behind his back.
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger escaped a crucial handball shout in stoppage time
Replays hinted at possible intent, however, and Rodgers said: ‘I felt after the midweek, if we don’t get that handball then I’m not sure we’ll get another one, to be honest. Because that (against Villa) was clear as you can get.
‘But at the end (against Chelsea) it hit his hand, he’s swivelling around, he’s probably been a bit cute on it as well to stop it.
‘We didn’t get it in the week and if you’re not going to get it – which was the whole reason for VAR being brought into it – I don’t have any great hope of getting many more after that, to be honest.’
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers says he has lost ‘hope’ of receiving future penalties
In his pre-match press conference Frank Lampard had said Chelsea would be ‘underdogs’ in the battle for the top four after their lack of signings in the window. Leicester currently hold an eight-point advantage on Chelsea and after being told of Lampard’s comments, Rodgers said: ‘We must be super-underdogs, then, to go from what we’ve been at the start of the season.
‘Frank has done a brilliant job but it’s a top-four team and Europa League champions. They’ve lost Eden Hazard but you see the players they have on the field today.
‘So for us to be where we are and what we’ve done to this point of the season, the players have been incredible.’ ends
