Should Alexis Sanchez’s FA Cup final opener have counted? (Video)

The FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea opened with controversy as Alexis Sanchez scored a goal that should have been disallowed.

In the fourth minute of the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal, Alexis Sanchez came forward from just outside the 18-yard box. The ball took a number of deflections before falling to the Chilean, who scored a point-blank goal. The goal was initially disallowed after the linesman deemed Aaron Ramsey to be in an offside position. However, referee Anthony Taylor said the goal was good, and Arsenal were up 1-0.

Sanchez’s first touch might have hit off his hand, which was the quarrel of many Chelsea players. It is hard to tell from the angle given, but his arms are up in the air. But the original call of offside was correct. The assistant referee raised his flag because Ramsey, who stood next to Sanchez as he scored, was in an offside position and appeared to be going for the ball. If a player makes a play for the ball from an offside position, then it’s still technically offside.

It is a complicated call for the referees and the announcers weren’t even sure either.

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The goal, correctly called or not, definitely gave Arsenal much-needed confidence. They went on to dominate much of the first 20minutes and created a number of good chances. Chelsea were lucky not to fall further behind after a Danny Welbeck header almost found its way into the goal.

It is fitting that Sanchez scored the goal for an otherwise disappointing Arsenal side. He was recently named the squad’s player of the year by the team’s fans, per ESPN FC.

If Arsenal win the FA Cup, this goal will be discussed for days after the game ends. Early on, however, only one thing looks to be concrete: Chelsea’s defense were not ready for this determined Arsenal side early on.