Chelsea handed clear Cole Palmer penalty verdict as Newcastle told of mistake

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has shared his thoughts on two major penalty appeals from Chelsea's defeat to Newcastle

Chelsea have received two differing penalty assessments following their Premier League defeat to Newcastle United. Anthony Gordon netted the match's solitary goal, though both sides had strong appeals for spot-kicks that could have altered the scoreline.

Following the encounter, Cole Palmer's claim for a penalty after a challenge involving Nick Woltemade generated the most debate. Nevertheless, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher backed the on-field decision.

Speaking on Sky Sports Ref Watch, he explained: "I don't think it is a foul. Cole Palmer stands on Woltemade's foot. He has his foot planted, so there is no way he is going to foul him."

Jay Bothroyd concurred: "I agree with that. Woltemade has put his foot ahead of Palmer's foot and as Palmer has put his foot down he has felt contact and gone down."

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior also weighed in on the disputed penalty incident after delivering a scathing verdict on referee Paul Tierney, who positioned himself within Chelsea's pre-match team huddle.

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He said: "I'm disappointed. There's more focus and emphasis on the things that don't matter. My players made the decision that they wanted to be around the ball, to respect the ball and show unity and leadership. That is not my decision.

"We had a meeting with the referee, my assistant goes in, the first thing he talks about is our huddle. He says about when I complained about Arsenal being in our half.

"It wasn't the goalkeeper coach that was in our half. People were at that game Arsenal, I said what I said. We're not being disrespectful to the opposition.

"If Paul had focused more on his job, which was to make the right decision, we have a penalty today. I don't think anybody in this room can say that Woltemade doesn't kick Cole Palmer down in the box. So, let's focus on the things that are important.

Whilst much attention was drawn to the contentious Palmer incident, Malick Thiaw's penalty appeal was given minimal focus despite the fact he was clearly prevented from attacking a corner by Reece James.

That controversial decision was given far less scrutiny despite the fact there has been a crackdown on holding at set-pieces with Gallagher and Bothroyd sharing similar verdicts.

Gallagher said: "If you are not looking at the ball, you are taking a massive risk - there is no way he can ever say, 'I am trying to look at the ball.' He is not trying to fend off a defender, he does not know where the ball is and the ball is the clue.

Bothroyd later added: "It is crazy - he is holding him and taking about four or five steps, and he is holding him the whole way and not looking at the ball, he does not even know where the ball is going. So I am really surprised that has not been given as a penalty...."