Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy escapes punishment for rash challenge on Burnley’s Ashley Barnes

Social media has been rife with speculation after Chelsea new boy Edouard Mendy went unpunished for a rash challenge on Ashley Barnes in the Blues’ clash with Burnley on Saturday.

The goalkeeper, who joined from Lille earlier this summer, was not punished after racing out to meet striker Barnes who was through on goal in the opening few minutes.

The striker lofted the ball over the bar but was clattered by the 28-year-old, in a challenge that has drawn comparisons to Jordan Pickford’s horrendous tackle on Virgil van Dijk in the Merseyside Derby.

Fans have slammed a decision not to punish Edouard Mendy for a challenge on Ashley Barnes

The Chelsea new boy collided with the Burnley striker as he was through on goal on Saturday

The Everton goalkeeper was heavily criticised for his role in the foul that has sidelined the Liverpool defender for the majority of the season, with the referee and VAR electing not to dismiss the England No 1.

And fans have questioned why Mendy was not punished for the challenge, with many pointing to the bad tackle from Pickford as reason for the Frenchman to be punished.

‘Mendy just Pickforded Barnes but because he’s fine it gets no scrutiny at all,’ said @jorgalbertz. ‘Anywhere elseon [sic] the pitch, or not the keeper, that’s a foul.’

Burnley fan @thesliz said: ‘How do we concede a penalty at Newcastle when Pope trips Fraser after his shot, but Mendy clatters Barnes after his shot and nothing is given?’

@l3ahpar said: ‘I’m surprised VAR hasn’t given that as a pen tbh… Mendy took him out albeit after the ball’.  

Fans have reacted to the foul, with some comparing it to the challenge by Pickford on Van Dijk