Newcastle: Howe slams ‘clear error’ from VAR as Magpies denied penalty in Chelsea draw
Newcastle were denied a penalty in the second half against Chelsea after Anthony Gordon was brought down by Trevor Chalobah.
Eddie Howe criticised a “clear error” from VAR Peter Bankes after Newcastle United were controversially denied a penalty in their 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Newcastle led 2-0 at half-time after a brilliant first-half display at St James’ Park, a Nick Woltemade double giving them command.
But Chelsea fought back superbly in the second half, Reece James’ stunning long-range free-kick and a fine individual goal from Joao Pedro earning a share of the spoils. Newcastle stay six points behind Chelsea, who are fourth, in the Premier League table.
Howe: Newcastle denied ‘stonewall’ penalty
Both sides had chances to claim all three points from a breathless encounter, though the point of contention came in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon was felled in the area by Trevor Chalobah.
Referee Andy Madley did not point to the spot despite Chalobah appearing to make no attempt to the play the ball while bundling Gordon over, and VAR Bankes surprisingly upheld the on-field decision.
The Premier League Match Centre, explaining the decision, said: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Newcastle was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact from Chalobah on Gordon deemed to be side-to-side in a shielding action and the ball within playing.”
Howe, though, took a dim view of that explanation.
“I thought the Anthony Gordon one was the standout one,” Howe told his post-match press conference. “Anywhere else on the pitch, it’s a blatant free-kick.
“A clear error and clear penalty. Anywhere else on the pitch that is a blatant free-kick. I thought it would be overturned. It’s a clear penalty and obvious error.
“The defender only focuses on Anthony [Gordon]. They said it was “shielding”. I don’t agree with that.
“I think the player has gone into Anthony aggressively, too aggressively, so I think it is a stonewall. The defender’s only look is Anthony, not the ball, and I think it’s too aggressive.”
“This one decision, I think, was wrong. I think that’s where VAR really should intervene. Yeah, it’s a difficult one to work out because seeing it live, I thought it was clear.”
Woltemade praises Newcastle fans
There were plenty of positives from Newcastle’s display, not least the influence of Woltemade, who was back scoring at the right end after his own goal condemned the Magpies to a derby defeat at Sunderland last weekend.
“Last week was not a good week or good game for me,” Woltemade told TNT Sports. “When I came into the [EFL Cup win over Fulham] game on Wednesday, the crowd sang my name which was so lovely.
“It was amazing and I knew they still liked me even when I scored the own goal. I wanted to give a good performance today and I think I did. I just want to say thank you to the fans for still being good with me.”
Woltemade missed a gilt-edged chance to make it 3-0 from a Gordon cross shortly before half-time, and Newcastle were left to rue his profligacy.
“Not good,” Woltemade said of surrendering a two-goal advantage. “We played an amazing first half with great energy and pressed really well. But in the second half, we still did quite well but it’s unlucky we conceded two goals in two situations from which we normally don’t concede.
“If you saw how we played in the first half, we can win against every team, I don’t know why we conceded two goals. It happened. We’ll keep working on it and maybe next time, we can play 90 minutes like that.”
Newcastle visit Manchester United in the only Boxing Day fixture in the Premier League in their next encounter.