While most of us were focused on Newcastle’s efforts in beating Burnley last night, we also spotted a key incident in the Chelsea vs Bournemouth game that got our blood boiling.
Newcastle United got the job done at Turf Moor with a crucial away win. The three points there help to end the year on a high, but there are still a few sour moments to reflect on.
How bad was the decision not to give Anthony Gordon a penalty after he was brought down by Trevoh Chalobah?! 😡
Looked like a clear peno!
For one, the game against Chelsea earlier this month is a massive missed opportunity. Leading 2-0 at half-time, the Magpies should never have dropped points there, but were pegged back to 2-2 by the end.
One moment in particular was a turning point in that game, with Anthony Gordon denied a stonewall penalty after a challenge from Trevoh Chalobah. To make matters worse, Chelsea were given a penalty in similar circumstances just this week.
Chelsea penalty is frustrating reminder of Newcastle’s missed claim
Chelsea were able to find a way back into the game against Bournemouth thanks to a penalty being awarded when Estevao was nudged off the ball in the box by Antoine Semenyo.
It looked a soft decision anyway, but it’s an even more concerning call given what we saw at Stamford Bridge just a fortnight ago.
Geordie Boot Boys spoke exclusively to Mark Clattenburg about the two incidents and what it says about the standard of refereeing in England right now, and it’s safe to say he wasn’t pleased.
He said: “There is zero consistency with Premier League referees at the moment which is causing frustration in the game. Estevao went down under a challenge from Antoine Semenyo and the referee team awarded the penalty.
“Then we compare the challenge by Trevoh Chalobah on Anthony Gordon which was made with more force and speed and was not awarded a penalty.”
- READ MORE: Newcastle United fans say Bruno Guimaraes was let down by ‘atrocious’ teammate vs Burnley
What was said about Anthony Gordon incident at the time?
In the wake of that Gordon moment earlier this month, Clattenburg said VAR got it totally wrong and insisted they should have intervened to correct the error of the referee, Andy Madley.
Alan Shearer was fuming with Madley and the VAR team, too. The Newcastle legend spent days criticising the decision, and he’s right to do so, too.
At the time, the Premier League’s official statement said: “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.”
Given that explanation, it’s bizarre that Chelsea were given their penalty last night. Something needs to be done to maintain some consistency in refereeing decisions; I think it’s safe to say there would be far fewer complaints over mistakes if we at least saw the same outcome across the board.
Sign up to TalkingPoints for free to join the conversation about all things Newcastle United with Geordie Boot Boys!