Chelsea may have got away with a VAR decision in their clash with Newcastle, after Trevoh Chalobah appeared to foul Anthony Gordon in the box
Luke Thrower
14:03, 20 Dec 2025Updated 14:29, 20 Dec 2025
Referee Andy Madley waits for a VAR decision during Newcastle United vs Chelsea
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Referee Andy Madley decided not to award a penalty during Newcastle vs Chelsea(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Chelsea's clash with Newcastle United was mired in controversy as both the referee and the Video Assistant Referee decided against awarding a penalty to the Magpies during the clash at St. James' Park.
It came as Trevoh Chalobah looked to shove Anthony Gordon in the back to help see the ball out of play, however the force and angle made it look like a foul, with the home crowd protesting the decision to wave away the appeal.
VAR checked it and stuck with the initial call of no penalty, which led to quite some controversy, with the supporters left fuming in the stands.
Andy Madley
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Andy Madley was at the centre of the controversy(Image: (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images))
TNT Sports pundit, and former striker, Ally McCoist said on the challenge: "I think it's a penalty, I really do. I think he's trying to usher him out but he takes him out. It's a penalty, as simple as that. It's a stonewall penalty. I'm staggered at that."
Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole agreed by saying: "Too much aggression, I think we’ll be hearing from Eddie Howe after the game."
The Premier League Match Centre rushed to explain the decision on social media, stating: "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 distance."
Ally McCoist
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Ally McCoist gave his thoughts on the drama
McCoist vehemently disagreed with that claim, however, as he added on TNT Sports: "It's not side-to-side. It's not side-to-side. He takes him out with his body. He's not, he's shielding the ball if he doesn't touch the player."
It came as an important flashpoint during the match for both Chelsea and Newcastle, with the game swinging to and fro through both halves.
A Nick Woltemade double in the first 20 minutes saw the Magpies race into the lead, stunning the visitors with their quality and aggression.
Nick Woltemade celebrates scoring for Newcastle
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Nick Woltemade scored twice(Image: (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images))
The home side couldn't quite take all of their chances, however, leaving the door open to the Blues to get their way back into the game.
Reece James gave his side some hope, scoring a magnificent free-kick just after the break, beating the Newcastle wall and Aaron Ramsdale in the process.
Then Joao Pedro was played through on goal, taking the chance clinically by slipping the ball into the back of the net, drawing his side level.
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The penalty call could've taken the game away from Chelsea, but it allowed them to stay in it, with a chaotic match ensuing after.