Chelsea fought back from a difficult first half against Newcastle United with goals from Reece James and Joao Pedro to draw 2-2 against the Magpies at St James Park on Saturday afternoon and the Premier League Match Centre have released a statement explaining why Trevoh Chalobah's challenge didn't result in a penalty.
Looking to bounce back after their 1-0 loss to Sunderland last time out in the league, Eddie Howe's men were quick out the traps and bagged the first goal of the affair through Nick Woltemade. The German striker then doubled his side's lead in the 20th minute as it looked as if Newcastle would cruise to victory.
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Enzo Maresca's side were much brighter after coming out for the second half and Reece James' brilliant free-kick set them up for a better second 45. Joao Pedro pounced on a defensive mistake from Malick Thiaw, bared down on goal and slotted his effort past an outstretched Aaron Ramsdale. But were Newcastle unfortunate not to receive a penalty in the 53rd minute?
Premier League Explain How Chelsea's Chalobah Escaped Giving Away a Penalty vs Newcastle
chalobah chelsea newcastle
Chelsea's Chalobah – partnered next to a struggling Wesley Fofana – charged towards Anthony Gordon and barged the Englishman to the floor inside the box. To the cries for a penalty from Newcastle fans, Gordon was sent flying towards St James' Park's advertising boards on impact.
Chalobah, Chelsea's primary centre-back in the absence of Levi Colwill, did not come close to making contact with the ball as he went shoulder to shoulder with Gordon. Referee Andrew Madley waved the incident away before VAR, who checked and cleared the man in the middle's initial decision of no penalty, looked at the clash.
Both Ally McCoist and Joe Cole, who were working for TNT Sports to cover the first Premier League match of the weekend, were taken aback that a spot kick was not awarded after the challenge on the Magpies winger. On commentary duty, McCoist said:
"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."
joe cole
The former striker added: "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." Cole, despite wanting Maresca's men to reign triumphant on away soil, also agreed with McCoist's assessment. "Too much aggression," the ex-Stamford Bridge forward said, "I think we'll be hearing from Eddie Howe after the game."
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Premier League Match Centre insisted that Andy Madley's original decision to not award the home side a penalty was the correct one after being checked and confirmed by those manning VAR.
"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."
At the point of the controversial decision by Madley and those in the VAR room at Stockley Park, 11th-placed Newcastle were leading 2-1 and if a spot kick had been given, Woltemade could have finished off a hat-trick having scored the opening two for the Magpies. It was no doubt a let-off for Chelsea, who picked up a point in the road thanks to their second-half comeback.
Newcastle Boss Eddie Howe Delivers Verdict on Controversial Decision
Eddie Howe
As mentioned, while those on VAR were taking a closer look at Chalobah's shoulder-barge on his compatriot Gordon, Cole mentioned that he'd be interested to hear Howe's thoughts on whether his side should've been awarded a penalty eight minutes into the second half – and the English manager wasted no time to discuss his thoughts during his post-match interview.
"In my opinion, yes. I think it's a clear penalty. Anywhere else on the pitch, that's a free-kick. I think the player has gone in too aggressively, in my opinion. It's a stonewall."
Then asked whether he agreed with the Premier League Match Centre assessment that it was a fair side-by-side shielding of the ball, Howe replied: "No, because it's not. I think the defender's only look is Anthony and not the ball. And I think it's too aggressive." Newcastle have now dropped 13 points from winning positions, but they'll be looking to make things right with their Boxing Day fixture against Manchester United.