![\"Trevoh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Newcastle-United-v-Chelsea-Premier-League.jpg\")
Newcastle fans felt Anthony Gordon was fouled(Image: Stu Forster, Getty Images)<\/p>\nAlan Shearer and other pundits have criticised the VAR decision not to award Newcastle United a penalty in their 2-2 draw with Chelsea at St. James’ Park after Trevoh Chalobah challenged Anthony Gordon<\/p>\n
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter<\/p>\n
10:16, 22 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
Newcastle fans felt Anthony Gordon was fouled(Image: Stu Forster, Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Alan Shearer has criticised VAR’s<\/a> decision not to award Newcastle United<\/a> a penalty during their 2-2 draw with Chelsea<\/a> at the weekend.<\/p>\n The Blues, managed by Enzo Maresca<\/a>, travelled to St. James’ Park for an early kick-off against Eddie Howe’s<\/a> Magpies on Saturday afternoon, in a match filled with drama. Nick Woltemade netted the first goal for the hosts just four minutes into the game, before doubling his tally midway through the first half.<\/p>\n Despite hopes from the home crowd that their team could maintain their lead after a strong first half, it proved too much of a challenge. Reece James<\/a> reduced Newcastle’s lead shortly after the break with a free-kick, before Joao Pedro<\/a> levelled the score 66 minutes in.<\/p>\n From that point, neither team managed to gain the upper hand, resulting in a point apiece for United and Chelsea<\/a>. However, Newcastle may feel aggrieved, as many supporters believe they should have been awarded a penalty when Trevoh Chalobah<\/a> appeared to bring down Anthony Gordon<\/a> in his own box.<\/p>\n Replays showed the Chelsea defender making no contact with the ball as Gordon fell to the ground following a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge. Referee Andy Madley did not deem it worthy of a penalty, and VAR concurred with his decision, reports Chronicle Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, Newcastle legend Shearer<\/a> had a contrasting view. On the latest episode of The Rest Is Football<\/a>, he said: “I mean the penalty decision that they never got was absolutely ridiculous, honestly.”<\/p>\n Gary Lineker then added: “It was a penalty, it was, I mean he [Chalobah] just rammed [Gordon] him straight off, didn’t he?” to which, Shearer replied: “Yeah, even the tweet the Premier League<\/a> put out, and I know it’s what VAR are telling them, but to say he was shielding the ball.<\/p>\n “Rubbish! Shielding the ball? It was like as clear a foul as you’re ever going to see. I’d love to know, you’ve got three professionals, you’ve got the referee on the pitch and you’ve got two VAR are looking at that, slowing it down, and thinking, ‘Yeah, that’s alright, wasn’t a foul.'”<\/p>\n Shearer wasn’t alone in his assessment of the incident. Ally McCoist, who was commentating during the match, said: “I think it’s a penalty, I really do.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Adding to the chorus of voices, Joe Cole<\/a> said: “Too much aggression. I think we’ll be hearing from Eddie Howe after the game.”<\/p>\n Post-match, Howe shared his thoughts on the incident, stating: “Yeah, I thought it was a stonewall penalty. I thought the defender went in with too much aggression. I think anywhere else on the pitch that’s a free-kick, so I’m really disappointed it wasn’t given.”<\/p>\n The Premier League Match Centre later provided an explanation for the non-award of a penalty during the game, posting on X: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Newcastle was checked and confirmed by VAR \u2013 with the contact from Chalobah on Gordon deemed to be side-to-side in a shielding action and the ball within playing distance.”<\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Alan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_Newcastle-United-v-Tottenham-Hotspur-Carabao-Cup-Fourth-Round.jpg\")
Alan Shearer has spoken about VAR’s decision(Image: Alex Dodd – CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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