Eddie Howe watched on as Saturday’s match ended Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2.
A game that should have been sorted by the break, as United absolutely battered Maresca’s team.
Newcastle went in at the break two goals up but it should have been at least double that, such was the black and white superiority and the clear chances created.
Four minutes after James had reduced the lead to 2-1 just after the restart, came the moment (amongst many bad ones from them) when the match officials infuriated even the normally very calm Eddie Howe.
An absolutely astonishing moment when Newcastle United were denied the clearest of penalties that would surely have ensured they’d go on and win the match.
Referee Andy Madley waved away appeals for a penalty after Trevoh Chaloba ignored the ball in the penalty area and deliberately ran into Anthony Gordon, knocking him off the ball and onto the ground.
Then somehow the VAR Peter Bankes didn’t direct Madley to go and look at the replay so he could correct his baffling decision not to give a penalty.
Eddie Howe quoted by Yahoo Sport after the match:
“Anywhere else on the pitch that is a blatant free-kick.
“When it went to VAR I thought, ‘This is going to be overturned, it’s a clear error’.
“It is as clear a penalty as I have seen.
“The defender only focuses on Anthony [Gordon].
“They said it is shielding but I don’t agree with that analysis.
“I am really disappointed that wasn’t given.”
The Premier League official statement reading as follows via Twitter/X, justifying the decision:
‘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.’
As you can see below, an absolute travesty.
Should this have been given? 🤔
Newcastle’s call for a penalty is denied following a challenge from Trevoh Chalobah. @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1Zl62O3fV1
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 20, 2025
Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2 – 20 December 2025 12.30pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United :
Woltemade 4, 20
Chelsea:
James 49, Pedro 66
Possession was Newcastle 47% Chelsea 53%
Total shots were Newcastle 11 Chelsea 13
Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Chelsea 4
Corners were Newcastle 6 Chelsea 4
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 22 Chelsea 22
Newcastle team v Chelsea:
Ramsdale, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Ramsey (Willock 89), Tonali, Bruno, Jacob Murphy (Elanga 73), Gordon (Barnes 72), Woltemade (Wissa 73)
Unused subs:
Ruddy, Joelinton, Alex Murphy, Shahar, Neave