Newcastle United's English midfielder #10 Anthony Gordon reacts after missing a chance during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on December 20, 2025. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United's English midfielder #10 Anthony Gordon reacts after missing a chance during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on December 20, 2025. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United 2-2 Chelsea: Eddie Howe hit out at a key decision that went against his side at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Newcastle United dropped more points in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as they let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 with Chelsea at St James’ Park.
A Nick Woltemade brace put The Magpies 2-0 up at the break before second-half goals from Reece James and Joao Pedro saw Chelsea rescue a point.
It’s now 13 points dropped from winning positions for Newcastle in the Premier League. Aside from letting a two goal led slip away, United were particularly frustrated to have two penalty shouts turned down.
Eddie Howe slams controversial NUFC decision in Chelsea draw
A handball appeal was waved away with the score at 2-0 in the first half. But Newcastle’s main gripe was in the second half with the score at 2-1 as Anthony Gordon was brought down inside the area by Trevoh Chalobah, who didn’t touch the ball.
The Premier League Match Centre issued a statement explaining Andy Madley’s decision not to award a penalty and the subsequent VAR check that upheld the referee’s decision.
It read: “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.”
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Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe is usually measured and refrains from commenting too much on decisions that go against his side.
But things were different on this occasion as hesaid: “I thought the Anthony Gordon one was the standout one for me.
“I think anywhere else on the pitch, that's a blatant free kick. When it went to VAR and of course they check everything, I thought this was going to be overturned.
“It's a clear error because that's a clearer penalty, as I've seen. I think the defender only focuses on Ant. They've said it's shielding, but I don't agree with that analysis. I'm really disappointed that wasn't given.
“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.”
Eddie Howe on Chelsea draw
Reflecting on the draw, Howe said: “Tinged with huge disappointment for us because I think we're really disappointed for the players.
“We deserve to win that game, in my opinion anyway. The only disappointment I think from that first half, because I think that's the best we've played, was that we weren't further ahead.
“Had the chances, played with real energy and intensity and quality.Great to see us creating the big moments in that penalty box. Obviously, a huge disappointment. We haven't won the game with the effort we've given.
Howe added: “I think the second half, the free kick changes the feeling and momentum of the game and gives them renewed hope. It's a standout moment from Reece James.
“It's those type of things that are affecting us, even though it shouldn't really. It's still at 2-1. We're still the dominant team.
“But then Chelsea came back into it and we're disappointed because even at 2-2, I think we have chances to win, which we didn't take.”
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