Foul on Gordon as clear a penalty as I’ve seen, claims Newcastle manager
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is “really disappointed” after officials failed to give what he claimed was a “clear” penalty in his side’s game against Chelsea.
The Magpies drew 2-2 at home after racing into a 2-0 lead at the start but then squandering it in the second half.
With the score 2-1 on minute 54, Trevor Chalobah challenged Anthony Gordon in the box and Newcastle called for a penalty. The referee dismissed their claims and was backed by the Video Assistant Referee. Howe was left fuming on the sidelines.
“Anywhere else on the pitch, that’s a blatant free kick,” the Toon boss said. “When it went to VAR, I thought, ‘This is going to be overturned, it’s a clear error.’ It’s as clear a penalty as I’ve seen.
“The defender only focuses on Anthony. They said it’s shielding, but I don’t agree with that analysis. I think the player has gone into Anthony aggressively, too aggressively, so I think it’s a stonewall. I’m really disappointed that it wasn’t given.”
Newcastle are still in 12th place as the gap between the top and lower ends of the Premier League begins to widen. The Magpies have ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League for the second reason running.
A win against Chelsea would have done much to remove the sour taste of the loss against Sunderland in the Wear-Tyne derby last week, but they were unable to maintain their intensity in the second period and Chelsea came back into the game, threatening even to win it late on.
“It’s tinged with huge disappointment for us,” Howe said. “I’m really disappointed for the players.”
Despite the way the game turned in the second half, Howe felt his side had the better chance of winning it.
“We deserved to win that game, in my opinion anyway,” said Howe. “The only real disappointment in the first half – because I think it’s the best we’ve played – is that we weren’t further ahead.
“We had the chances and played with real energy, intensity and quality. It was great to see us creating the big moments in the penalty box. It’s a huge disappointment we haven’t won the game with the effort we’ve given.”
