‘It’s nonsensical, pathetic’ - Alan Shearer & others rant about ‘farcical’ Newcastle United referee blunder

Newcastle United departed London on Sunday night with a number of contrasting emotions following their late defeat to Chelsea.

One was proudness after Eddie Howe’s side were minutes away from claiming a deserved from at the home of the world and European champions before Kai Havertz struck.

And the others were anger and frustration after referee David Coote and VAR failed to award Jacob Murphy a penalty on 57 minutes.

Howe believed it to be a “stonewall penalty” and said it “made a mockery of VAR” - and it turns out he isn’t the only person to feel that way, asides from Newcastle fans, of course.

Here, we round-up what the pundits have said about Coote and VAR’s call:

Alan Shearer - ‘Nonsensical. It really is pathetic’

“I like the system VAR but I can’t for the life of me understand what the earth they do when they think they’re running it correctly. They’re not. We’ve seen a decision that Frank Lampard got called for an apology.

“We saw the decision - I must have spoken to 20 or 30 people, including referees, ex-players and current players and not one person agreed with it not being a red card when (Luis) Diaz scored his goal and was fouled.

“That today, come on, it’s nonsensical. It really is pathetic.

“That decision there has cost Newcastle a point. They deserved it. You work your socks off to go there, work hard and be tight as a unit and you’re let down by officials and a VAR system. It’s not good enough.”

Ian Wright - ‘Farcical decision’

“They should have had a penalty. Absolutely farcical decision. I don’t know what more you need to do when you’re sitting there in front of a camera and you see that.

“That is ridiculous. He (Chalobah) has a go at him (Murphy) and doesn’t get it (the ball), he has another go at him and doesn’t get the ball and all the time he is holding his (Murphy’s) shirt.

“How can you sit in the VAR office and not give that?”

Jamie Carragher - ‘Lucky to get away with that’

“Well, he (Chalobah) was having a nibble when he was inside the box.

“Whether it was enough for a penalty, it’s always difficult for the referee to see that.

“Chalobah, he’s got hold of his shirt and I think he will be lucky to get away with that. He’s certainly got a good chunk of his shirt and none of the ball.”

Jamie Redknapp - ‘Diabolical refereeing’

“It’s diabolical refereeing because if you’re not sure you’ve got the luxury of VAR.

“How he cannot see that, he’s (Murphy’s) getting pulled, Trevor Chalobah is going in with his wrong foot, digging and digging again.

“It’s a blatant penalty, if you cannot see that and you’ve got the VAR as well, David Coote needs to make better decisions.”

Glenn Hoddle - ‘Simple decision for VAR’

“That’s a simple decision for VAR. Difficult for the ref with loads of bodies in the way but for VAR, if they can’t get that right, what are they doing?”

Micah Richards - ‘Crystal clear’

“This is crystal clear, Newcastle fans can definitely be aggrieved with this situation. Chalobah gets the wrong side, he gets him twice, he’s grabbed him and then tried to get the ball. It’s a penalty.

“I do think this one is a clear and obvious error, anyone can see. First it puts him (Murphy) off balance and then he (Chalobah) puts his leg in.”