Chelsea mounted a second-half comeback that unravelled Newcastle and allowed them to close the two-goal deficit – but Eddie Howe has taken issue with one incident from Saturday’s clash.
While Enzo Maresca thinks his side might have deserved the win, Howe certainly won’t be feeling that way.
He cut a frustrated figure on the sideline at full-time, after watching his players let a valuable lead slip away in what is becoming a recurring theme for Newcastle.
After the game, that frustration bubbled to the surface.
Eddie Howe calls out ‘clear’ referee error with Trevoh Chalobah challenge
Around minute 50, after Chelsea had halved the deficit courtesy of Reece James, Anthony Gordon and Trevoh Chalobah had a coming together by the touchline inside the penalty area.
Is Trevoh Chalobah a lucky man?
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It was a hard challenge from the Chelsea defender, but it was deemed fair by referee Andy Madley.
Howe disagrees, as he told TNT Sports after the game: “”It’s a clear error, because it was a clear penalty, as I saw. I think the defender was just focused on pushing Gordon.
“The VAR said it was protection, but I don’t agree with that analysis, so I’m very disappointed that it wasn’t given.”
If that spot-kick had been awarded, you would have backed Nick Woltemade to complete his hat-trick.
As it happened, Chelsea went on to equalise courtesy of Joao Pedro and Robert Sanchez’s brilliantly executed goal.
The equaliser from Joao Pedro 🤩
Robert Sanchez understood the assignment 💪
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Ally McCoist agrees with Eddie Howe
It’s not just the opposing coach who has taken issue with the decision.
Ally McCoist reacted live during BBC Sport’s coverage, where he voiced his confusion at the no-call.
He wrote: ” 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.”
On first watch, it looked like a fair shoulder. The referee saw nothing amiss, and it would have to be clear and obvious to be overturned.
Anyone of a Chelsea persuasion will look at that as fair, physical defending. Those who aren’t seem to have a different view. Regardless, the draw seems a fair result.
A difficult afternoon, but resilience shown by Chelsea 🙌
Who was your Player of the Match?
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