Redknapp slams ref and VAR as ‘diabolical’ after they failed to spot a ‘blatant’ Newcastle penalty

Jamie Redknapp slammed ‘diabolical’ refereeing after Newcastle were denied a ‘blatant’ penalty against Chelsea.

Jacob Murphy went down in the penalty area under the challenge from Trevoh Chalobah, who had hold of his shirt before clipping his leg as he stretched to reach the ball with his toe. 

Referee David Coote was unmoved, with Murphy and his Newcastle team-mates incensed on Sunday.

The incident was checked by VAR, who did not think it warranted any further action because it was not a ‘clear and obvious error’.  

Sky Sports pundit Redknapp said ‘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.

Referee David Coote was unmoved and the VAR did not think it was a ‘clear and obvious error’

Micah Richards added: ‘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.’

Chelsea clinched the points with a delectable winner in the 89th minute. 

Kai Havertz, who had escaped a red card for catching Newcastle defender Dan Burn with his elbow, collected a wonderful pass from Jorginho, held off Burn and applied the finish.