Overview
- Referee Andy Madley declined to award a penalty for Chalobah’s 53rd-minute challenge on Gordon, and VAR upheld the on-field decision as a side-to-side shielding action with the ball in playing distance.
- Eddie Howe called the incident a stonewall penalty and confirmed Newcastle have requested clarification from PGMOL on the decision-making process.
- Former officials including Dermot Gallagher, Keith Hackett and Mike Dean said a penalty should have been given, with Gallagher unusually stating the call was wrong.
- The match ended 2-2 after Newcastle’s 2-0 half-time lead evaporated, contributing to a league-high 13 points dropped from winning positions this season.
- Alejandro Garnacho’s studs-up tackle on Jacob Ramsey drew only a yellow card, prompting further criticism from ex-officials and feeding a broader debate over VAR consistency and player safety, also highlighted by Everton’s denied penalty against Arsenal.