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.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. | AFP via Getty Images
Alan Shearer has gone in on VAR and Andy Madley after his controversial Premier League call in Newcastle United v Chelsea.
Footballers miss chances, that’s part and parcel of football - and Newcastle United will know they had more than enough of them to win v Chelsea.
However, with six officials all having eyes on decisions, why are so many refereeing calls still so baffling? And it was on this call that this Premier League encounter may well have been decided.
As Anthony Gordon was felled in the area, ref Andy Madley gave a goal kick. VAR said it was a shielding action by Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, despite the fact the player was not close to shielding the ball. It was baffling - and one which Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer though the man in the middle got very wrong.
Alan Shearer on VAR and Newcastle United controversial call
Replying to a tweet about the penalty call, Shearer was in no doubt that Madley got the call wrong.
To his more than one million followers on X, Shearer described the decision not to award a penalty, calling it: “Clueless.”
Eddie Howe reacts to penalty decision in NUFC v Chelsea
Here’s what Eddie Howe said about the match - and those incidents.
Eddie Howe reacts to Newcastle United v Chelsea result
Speaking after the match, Howe did not agree with the explanation, adding: “Yeah, 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 I 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 clear 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, so I'm really disappointed that wasn't given.
“Just 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. Seeing it live, I thought it was clear.”
TNT Sports presenter gives thoughts on Andy Madley decision
Like Shearer, former England man Joe Cole, who was pitchside as a pundit for TNT Sports could also not believe the call by Madley.
He said: “I think on this occasion he's [Trevoh Chalobah] overzealous with the tackle. As it comes in he's the favourite, there's no need to do it, just get there. It's the force of it. I think it's a penalty.
It can be deemed as coming from the side, but the force is the issue.”
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