If you thought losing a 2-0 lead to Chelsea wasn’t bad enough, any anger at today’s result will only get worse when you see the penalty incident that wasn’t given on Anthony Gordon.
It looked a foul at the time, but replays show it was an absolute stone-wall penalty as Trevoh Chalobah smashed into Gordon’s thigh on 55 minutes (watch below).
Should this have been given? 🤔
Newcastle’s call for a penalty is denied following a challenge from Trevoh Chalobah. @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1Zl62O3fV1
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 20, 2025
Speaking after the game, Eddie Howe looked visibly agitated and baffled by the initial call and VAR’s lack of intervention, insisting it was a “clear error” and a big mistake that’s cost us the chance to go 3-1 up before the hour mark:
“It’s a clear error, because that’s a clear penalty.
“Anywhere else on the pitch, it’s a free kick. The player has gone in aggressively and only focuses on Ant (Gordon). It’s a stone wall.
“They’ve said it’s shielding, but I don’t agree with that analysis, so I’m really disappointed that wasn’t given.”
PGMOL have issued an official update explaining why they did not recommend a review, claiming the contact from Chalobah was a ‘side-to-side shielding action’
In a post on X, they 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.’
Watch that again and tell me how that is a shielding action? He’s made no attempt to play the ball and clattered into Gordon’s thigh.
Yes, we’ve been the masters of our downfall today, conceding two poor goals to spoil our superb first half display, but we’ve been let down horribly by the officials.
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