Newcastles Howe slams stonewall penalty snub as defensive woes continue

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NEWCASTLE, England, Dec 20 - Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe criticised the referee for not awarding a stonewall penalty in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Saturday, dismissing the officials explanations as his side extended their alarming habit of dropping points after leading.

Howe was left frustrated after his team let slip another two-goal lead, with Newcastle now dropping 13 points from winning positions this season after Nick Woltemades first-half double was cancelled out by Chelseas second-half comeback.

But Newcastle felt aggrieved when Trevoh Chalobah made a robust challenge on Anthony Gordon in the second half, with appeals for a penalty dismissed by the referee and VAR.

I think its a clear penalty. I think anywhere else on the pitch, thats a free kick, Howe told TNT Sports.

I think the player has got into Anthony aggressively, too aggressively in my opinion, so I think its a stonewall.

The Premier League match centre said a penalty was denied because contact from Chalobah on Gordon was deemed to be side-to-side in a shielding action and because the ball was within playing distance -- an explanation Howe rejected outright.

No, because its not. I think the defenders only look is Anthony, not the ball, and I think its too aggressive, he added.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said he did not see it as a penalty but was happy to take a point under the circumstances.

I think there are not many teams that are 2-0 down at halftime -- against this team in this stadium -- and they can come back, he said.

Today Im very happy because I feel proud of the players. Its not easy at 2-0