Newcastle United’s head coach, Eddie Howe, expressed frustration following his team’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea on October 28, 2023. The match was marked by a controversial decision when referee Andy Madley denied Newcastle a penalty after a challenge on Anthony Gordon in the 53rd minute, a call that was upheld by VAR official Peter Bankes. Howe described the incident as a “clear error,” noting that it was a blatant foul that should have resulted in a penalty.
Howe’s disappointment was palpable as he remarked, “Anywhere else on the pitch, that’s a blatant free-kick. When it went to VAR, I thought, ‘This is going to be overturned, it’s a clear error.’ It’s as clear a penalty as I’ve seen.” He contested the decision further, stating, “The defender only focuses on Ant [Gordon]. They said it’s shielding, but I don’t agree with that analysis. I’m really disappointed that wasn’t given.”
Newcastle started the match strongly, racing to a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes. They capitalized on a rebound after Chelsea’s goalkeeper blocked Gordon’s initial shot, with Gordon doubling his tally shortly thereafter, finishing from a well-placed cross. Despite this bright start, the match shifted dramatically after the interval.
Chelsea’s resurgence began with a free-kick converted by Raheem Sterling in the 49th minute, which rekindled their hopes. The game continued to evolve, and Chelsea managed to equalize in the 66th minute when Armando Broja seized on a slip from Newcastle’s defense.
Howe reflected on the match, stating, “It’s tinged with huge disappointment for us. I’m really disappointed for the players. We deserved to win that game, in my opinion anyway.” He praised his team’s performance in the first half, describing it as the best they had played this season, despite wishing they had capitalized on more chances to extend their lead.
On the opposing side, Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, offered a contrasting perspective. He acknowledged Newcastle’s dominance in the first half but believed his side’s second-half performance warranted a win. “I think after the first half, they deserved to win the game, for sure. From my point of view after the second half, we deserved to win the game,” Maresca said, highlighting several missed opportunities his team had to secure all three points.
Maresca’s week had been noteworthy, with speculation surrounding his position amid links to a potential vacancy at Manchester City should Pep Guardiola depart. In response to questions about the pressure he faced, he stated, “My last week has not been complicated, it has been good. We beat Cardiff and we drew with Newcastle away, so in terms of results, I’m happy.”
Both teams now look ahead to their upcoming matches, with Newcastle seeking to build on their spirited performance and Chelsea aiming to maintain their momentum in the Premier League. The draw leaves Newcastle in the mid-table, while Chelsea continues to chase the top spots in the league.
