Eddie Howe accused Andy Madley of failing to award Newcastle a “stonewall” penalty as Chelsea recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2. Newcastle have now dropped 13 points from winning positions this season, but their manager blamed the match officials rather than lax defending for this latest setback.
With the score 2-1, Trevoh Chalobah’s 54th-minute challenge on Anthony Gordon propelled the Newcastle player into the hoardings, but Madley declined to award a penalty, a decision endorsed by the video assistant referee.
“It was a clear error and a clear penalty,” said Howe, who is normally reluctant to criticise referees. “Anywhere else on the pitch that is a blatant free-kick. I thought it would be overturned.
“The defender only focuses on Anthony. [VAR] said it was shielding. I don’t agree with that. I think the player has gone into Anthony aggressively, too aggressively, so I think it’s a stonewall. The defender’s only looking at Anthony, not the ball. It was the wrong decision.”
Howe was “devastated” that Newcastle, who led through two early Nick Woltemade goals, had not won. “It’s difficult because we played so well,” he said. “It was an outstanding performance, especially in the first half. It was a reminder of how good we can be. It’s further evidence that we’re improving. Dropping two points is painful, but this was further evidence that we’re moving in the right direction.”
His Chelsea counterpart, Enzo Maresca, saw things differently. “After the first half Newcastle deserved to win, but, after the second half, we deserved to win,” he said.
Chelsea’s manager, who had goals from the outstanding Reece James and João Pedro to thank for the draw, said: “After our second goal we had three or four clear chances to score and they had one. But overall, a draw is correct.
“It’s not easy to come back from 2-0 down here. Not many teams can do that. It’s an important result. I’m happy with the reaction of the players.”
Maresca was unwilling to discuss the behind-the-scenes discord he had hinted at after last Saturday’s win against Everton. “My last week has not been complicated, it has been good,” he said. “We beat Everton, we beat Cardiff and we drew with Newcastle away, so in terms of results, I’m happy. There are things that for sure we can do better, but we’re going in the right direction.”
