Premier League explain controversial Chelsea penalty decision vs Newcastle as VAR verdict given

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Newcastle United had a penalty appeal waved away during their Premier League clash with Chelsea at St. James' Park as VAR confirmed the referee's decision after Trevoh Chalobah's challenge on Anthony Gordon

During Saturday's Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James' Park, a penalty appeal by Newcastle was dismissed.

Chelsea's Trevor Chalobah was involved in a collision with Anthony Gordon inside the penalty area, sending the Newcastle player sprawling towards the advertising hoardings, much to the dismay of the home fans who were clamouring for a penalty.

Chalobah had missed making contact with the ball during the incident, and referee Andrew Madley dismissed the appeal. The VAR review also failed to award a penalty.

TNT Sports analyst Ally McCoist was convinced it should have been a penalty, stating: "I think it's a penalty, I really do. I think he's trying to usher him out but he takes him out. It's a penalty, as simple as that. It's a stonewall penalty. I'm staggered at that."

He further commented: "It's not side-to-side. It's not side-to-side. He takes him out with his body. He's not, he's shielding the ball if he doesn't touch the player."

The Premier League Match Centre X account provided an explanation for the decision, saying: "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."

Joe Cole, also a pundit on TNT Sports, added: "Too much aggression, I think we'll be hearing from Eddie Howe after the game."

Newcastle held a 2-1 advantage before the controversial penalty area incident unfolded. Just over 10 minutes after VAR dismissed Newcastle's penalty shout, Chelsea found their equaliser through Joao Pedro at the opposite end of the field.

Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin commented on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Risky with bells on it! Trevoh Chalobah never got the ball, a shoulder challenge on Anthony Gordon. A big call for the referee to not give a penalty."

Gordon's penalty appeal wasn't the sole VAR controversy during the match. Technical difficulties meant Semi-Automated Offside Technology was unavailable to assess Woltemade's second strike.

The goal review took considerably longer than normal as VAR officials were forced to manually draw the offside lines to reach their decision. The accurate ruling was ultimately made, with Newcastle establishing their 2-0 lead at that point.