Why Eddie Howe is ‘still burning’ from Newcastle United’s defeat at Chelsea

Eddie Howe is “still burning” from Newcastle United’s controversial non-penalty during the defeat at Chelsea on Sunday.

The Magpies head coach cut a frustrated figure at full-time after Jacob Murphy was denied a “stonewall penalty”.

Murphy, on 57 minutes, was fouled in the area by full-back Trevoh Chalobah with the scoreline at 0-0.

Neither referee David Coote or VAR came to the right decision, instead awarding a corner, which left Howe, United supporters and pundits outraged.

It cost Howe’s men at least a point - and ended their nine-game unbeaten run - following Kai Havertz’s 89th-minute winner.

Four days on, and Howe is still frustrated by the outcome.

“The penalty for me... yeah it’s still burning because it was clear, Howe said. “It was clear to everyone that saw the incident again when it was slowed down that Jacob’s shirt was pulled. There was also a tangle of legs.

“The referee gave a corner and it wasn’t a corner, so he has not viewed the incident right and that is what VAR is there for to slow the incident down and make sure the correct decision is reached.

“How that’s not happened with the technology we have, I’m still very frustrated by it. People can apologise and say it’s a mistake but it’s a mistake that shouldn’t be happening when you have the time to make the right call.”

Newcastle wrote to the Premier League in December for an explanation over certain decisions against Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Howe joked the letter he received back was an “interesting read”. And it sounds like he wasn’t too satisfied with the Chelsea response either.

“Yeah, I’ve had an explanation, and without going into too much detail, it’s not one I obviously agree with.”

He added: “There is a frustration for us because sometimes we are in the dark over what decisions have been looked at it.

“They say every decision is looked at, I’m not sure I can sometimes believe that to be true because the decision is made so quickly there seems like there has been no thorough review over what’s happened.

“I think on this instant it did go to VAR, which makes it all the more frustrating.

“When you’re watching it live, it wasn’t crystal clear to where I was standing. But when I saw it afterwards, I couldn’t believe my eyes that it hadn’t been overturned or at least the referee has reviewed his own decision, which I always encourage them to do.

“I don’t think it matters if they get it right or wrong initially because it’s so difficult but encourage them to look to try and get the right decision for the game being played.”