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Newcastle United latest news: The Magpies drew 2-2 with Chelsea in a controversial affair at St James’ Park in the Premier League.
Newcastle United were forced to settle for a point at St James’ Park as referee Andy Madley was booed off the pitch following a full-throttle clash with Chelsea.
The Magpies threw away a two-goal lead as strikes from Reece James and Joao Pedro cancelled out a first-half Nick Woltemade brace on a great afternoon of football on Tyneside for the neutral. However, the vast majority of those in St James’ Park would have left the stadium questioning a number of decisions made by the referee - none more so than Madley’s decision not to award the Magpies a penalty in the second half following a tackle on Anthony Gordon by Trevoh Chalobah.
Gordon was seemingly body checked by the Blues man on the byline, but Madley opted to instead award a goal kick. VAR checked the incident and despite spending almost four minutes in the first-half reviewing Woltemade’s second goal, almost instantly agreed with the referee’s decision to not award a spot-kick and play continued.
That incident came at a crucial time in the game with the Magpies leading by just one goal. Joao Pedro, the man they spent weeks chasing in the summer before he opted instead to move to Stamford Bridge, soon levelled for the visitors and neither side could find a winner.
‘Not even close, that’s a penalty’ said Ally McCoist on commentary for TNT Sports as VAR reviewed the footage, but Peter Bankes at Stockley Park did not agree with the former Sunderland striker.
Explaining the decision on X, the PL Match Centre wrote: ‘#NEWCHE – 55’ 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.’
Darren Cann reveals VAR verdict
Judging by the reaction on social media, few Newcastle United fans or neutrals accepted that statement on the decision. Former World Cup final assistant referee Darren Cann, though, believed that it was a case of ‘referee’s call’ and can sympathise with the technology for deciding not to overturn the referee’s call.
“At normal speed I can understand why the referee didn’t award a penalty,” Cann told BBC Sport. “Chalobah certainly takes a risk in making such a challenge because there’s clear contact with Gordon.
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“So the decision was right to be reviewed by VAR, who came to the conclusion that a clear and obvious error had not been made and stayed with the on-field decision of no penalty. I do think that had a penalty been given, I believe the VAR would have stuck with that decision too. So this comes down to “referee’s call”.”
Ultimately, neither side were able to find that winning goal and Chelsea ended the day sat six points above their hosts. Newcastle United now have a rare six-day rest before they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day (8pm kick-off).
Chelsea, meanwhile, have a week to rest before they return to action against Aston Villa on Saturday 27 December.
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