BREAKING - Chelsea get instant VAR penalty verdict after Jorrel Hato flashpoint vs Qarabag

Steve Sidwell believes Chelsea were unfortunate to concede a penalty during the first half of their clash against Qarabag. Sebastian Gishamer pointed to the spot when the ball struck Jorrel Hato's arm from close range inside the box.

The Video Assistant Referee, Manuel Schuettengruber, and his assistant, Josef Spurny, reviewed the incident. They agreed with the on-field decision, and the Blues defender was penalised for a handball offence.

Marko Janković buried the penalty for Qarabag, sending Robert Sanchez the wrong way. Speaking on TNT Sports from the gantry at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in Baku, the former Blues midfielder said: "It seemed a little bit harsh.

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"We're waiting to see a replay for the distance there. Hato there, he's only a couple of yards away with his hands and arm, they are out of the silhouette of his body, but it's what two yards away. You've seen these given, especially in the European scene."

Qarabag had only equalised a few moments earlier, when Leandro Andrade reacted quickest to a loose rebound inside the box. Sidwell earmarked the goal as a turning point for the Azerbaijani outfit.

"Since they've got the equaliser they've been the brighter team and on the front foot," said the TNT Sports co-commentator. "Trying to squeeze Chelsea on their backline. And that proves it.

"I felt before the game that this was going to be a potential banana skin. This was not a given. They really have a game on their hands. They need to get back into this game as quickly as possible, more so defensively than anything else."

Shay Given and Joe Cole singled out Hato at half-time. The former Manchester City goalkeeper said: "They deserve the lead at half-time. Hato at the back is all over the place. You don't want to be too harsh, he's a young centre-half, only 19. He gets a bit tangled up."

The Chelsea icon added: "I hope he stays on the pitch because he'll learn so much about himself now because he'll feel at fault for the goals. Now it's about character. There's lessons for him.

"That's what this team will do. There will be mistakes with young players and that's what's happened. Second half, go and win the game, personality, puff your chest out and go and play."

Maresca was very complimentary of Qarabag ahead of the clash, noting their statement victories earlier in the competition. The Chelsea boss said: "They beat Benfica, they beat Copenhagen, they were winning against [Athletic] Bilbao and then at the end they lost.

"But for sure it's going to be a tough game for different reasons," added Maresca. "Yeah, as a team, to be honest, they are a very good team. They are a very intense team.

"The way they press, the way they work together as a team, you can see that it's many, many years they work with the same manager. And then, especially at home, they are more intense. And as I said, it will be tough."