Alan Shearer had just one word to describe the officials after Newcastle United’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
The Magpies threw away a two-goal lead at St James’ Park, with Nick Woltemade’s first half brace cancelled out by goals from Reece James and Joao Pedro.
Newcastle United’s draw with Chelsea will leave the Toon Army raging, and not just because it is the latest example of Eddie Howe’s side failing to hold on after going in front.
Additionally, there were multiple key decisions that went against them.
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Alan Shearer cannot believe Newcastle United did not get a penalty against Chelsea
The biggest was a penalty appeal at 2-1 when Trevoh Chalobah clattered into Anthony Gordon in the box.
The Chelsea defender made no attempt to play the ball, but the referee Andy Madley and VAR determined that he was merely shielding it out of play.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg thinks Newcastle United should have won a penalty, and that sentiment is shared by Alan Shearer.
Following the incident, the Telegraph’s Luke Edwards wrote on X: “That is about as clear a penalty as you will ever see. Not given. Gordon was completely wiped out at force.”
The tweet received a two-word reply from Shearer, who posted: “Agreed. Clueless.”
It truly was a laughable decision from the officials, and one that proved to be costly. Newcastle should have had the chance to restore their two-goal advantage from 12 yards, but instead went on to concede again and draw 2-2.
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Eddie Howe’s verdict on Anthony Gordon penalty incident
A former referee thinks it was a penalty, and so does a former player. But what about the current Newcastle United manager?
Well, Eddie Howe has made it a hat-trick. He also thinks that his side should have been given a penalty for the challenge on Gordon, expressing his disbelief at the decision during his post-match interview.
“In my opinion yes, I think it’s a clear penalty,” he told TNT Sports on X.
“Anywhere else on the pitch it’s a free-kick. The player has gone into Anthony too aggressively in my opinion.
“I think it’s a stonewall penalty.”
Howe’s point on the needless aggression is exactly why it should be a penalty. Neither Chalobah nor Gordon had control of the ball. All the Chelsea player had to do was watch it go out of play, yet he opts to forcibly wipe out the Magpies’ number 10.
It was a shocking decision and one that contributed towards Newcastle United missing out on what would have been a vital victory.