VAR Controversy: The Shocking Reason Newcastle's 'Stonewall' Penalty Against Chelsea Was Denied
The Saturday afternoon encounter between Newcastle United and Chelsea proved to be an electrifying spectacle—featuring both sides displaying tremendous intensity in a match that perfectly exemplified the phrase "tale of two halves." Naturally, officiating disputes were also part of the narrative.
Nick Woltemade ignited the home crowd's excitement within just four minutes, and the towering German striker soon added to his tally, skillfully directing the ball beyond Robert Sánchez following excellent wing play from Anthony Gordon.
Chelsea appeared sluggish during the opening 45 minutes—struggling to find their rhythm after their midweek fixture—and the visitors could easily have trailed by four goals at halftime. One can only imagine the stern words Enzo Maresca delivered to his squad in the locker room.
Whether the Italian manager had intervened or not, his team's response was remarkable. Chelsea quickly re-entered the contest through Reece James' perfectly executed free-kick, though goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale might believe he could have reached the shot to push it away.
This is when the disputed incidents began. After having to validate Woltemade's second strike as onside due to malfunctioning semi-automated offside technology, VAR official Peter Bankes was called upon to examine a forceful collision between Gordon and Trevoh Chalobah.
The Spot-Kick Dispute
The Gallowgate End supporters were predictably outraged by referee Andy Madley's choice to dismiss the incident and signal for a goal kick. Ally McCoist expressed even greater disbelief in the TNT Sports commentary booth when given another viewing opportunity—describing the penalty appeal as "clear-cut." Even Joe Cole, a former Chelsea midfielder and Premier League champion, acknowledged that Chalobah had been excessive in his challenge and that a penalty should have been awarded.
Bankes held a different view.
His justification for informing Madley that no infringement occurred was later published on the Premier League Match Centre's X platform. It confidently declared: "The referee's decision of no penalty to Newcastle was reviewed and upheld by VAR—with Chalobah's contact on Gordon considered to be lateral in a protective action with the ball in playable range."
Response to the Ruling
As the challenge develops he's in the advantageous position, there's no necessity for it, simply arrive there. It's the intensity of it. I believe it's a penalty.
Some observers will argue that Chalobah charged into Gordon, clearly exceeding the limits of ball protection, while others will view it as a physical encounter between two players competing for the same area. It represented the type of decision that former Premier League official Darren Cann suggested was subjective.
"At regular speed I can comprehend why the referee declined to award a penalty. Chalobah definitely gambles in making such a tackle because there's obvious contact with Gordon," he explained to BBC Sport.
"Therefore the decision warranted VAR review, which concluded that a clear and obvious mistake had not occurred and maintained the on-field ruling of no penalty. I believe that if a penalty had been granted, the VAR would have supported that verdict as well. This ultimately becomes a 'referee's judgment.'"
Howe: A Penalty Should Have Been Given
"In my view, absolutely," Eddie Howe responded to TNT Sports after the match when asked whether the penalty should have been granted. "I believe it's an obvious penalty, I think anywhere else on the field that's a foul, the player has challenged Anthony forcefully, overly forcefully in my judgment. I consider it clear-cut.
"No, because it isn't [lateral protective play]. I believe the defender's focus is solely on Anthony and not the ball, I think it's too forceful."
Chelsea managed to equalize ten minutes afterward through João Pedro's fifth Premier League strike of the campaign, and despite both teams creating opportunities to secure victory, no additional goals would be scored at St. James' Park.
It represented another thrilling 12:30 p.m. Premier League fixture—possibly surpassing Aston Villa's victory over Arsenal the previous weekend, Tottenham's 2–2 stalemate with Manchester United, and the former's triumph at Manchester City early in Thomas Frank's tenure.