The Premier League Match Centre has explained why Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon was denied a penalty against Chelsea, but the explanation is not washing with everyone.
Early in the second half at St James’ Park, Gordon was running onto the ball in the penalty area when he was bundled over by Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah.
The ball was running quickly towards the byline and Gordon may not have been able to do much with it, but Chalobah took him out.
A penalty was not given, much to the confusion of the Newcastle players and Ally McCoist on commentary for TNT Sports, who could not believe the referee did not point to the spot.
Shortly afterwards, the Premier League Match Centre explained the decision, which was checked by VAR.
The statement read: ‘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.’
Rangers legend McCoist was not on board with the explanation and rejected the idea Chalobah was shielding the ball from Gordon, instead he just shoved the England winger over.
‘It’s not side-to-side. He takes him out with his body. He’s shielding the ball if he doesn’t touch the player!’ McCoist said on TNT Sports.
‘My point is quite simple. I get if he’s shielding the ball, but he’s not, he takes the player out.’
Former referee Mike Dean agreed with McCoist, saying that it was ‘100 per cent’ a penalty.
‘The ball’s come across, gone in the area, he’s made no attempt whatsoever to go for the ball,’ Dean said on Sky Sports.
‘He’s just completely wiped out Anthony Gordon. It’s a complete body check, for me, 100 per cent a penalty, 100 per cent.’
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Former Chelsea forward Joe Cole admitted he also felt it was a penalty, saying on TNT: ‘I think Trev got away with it, I think Trev has been absolutely outstanding for Chelsea but on this occasion he’s been a bit over zealous with the tackle. It’s the force of it. I think it’s a penalty.’
Howe speaks out on controversy
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was unsurprisingly in agreement with McCoist, Cole and Dean, saying: ‘My opinion, yes, I think that’s a clear penalty. Anywhere else on the pitch that’s a free-kick. The player’s gone into Anthony too aggressively. I think it’s stonewall.
‘The defender’s look is at Anthony, not the ball, and I think it’s too aggressive.’
The decision could have proved extremely important as it was made with Newcastle 2-1 ahead and the game finished level at 2-2.
The Magpies were dominant in the first half and went into the break 2-0 ahead thanks to a Nick Woltemade brace.
The visitors were vastly improved in the second period and the game was fantastically entertaining as they fought back to level through Reece James and Joao Pedro and then both teams went for the win but had to settle for a point.