The man formerly tasked with improving standards of refereeing across English football, Keith Hackett, claims David Coote made two major errors during Chelsea ’s win over Newcastle United.
Kai Havertz scored an 89th minute winner to boost the Blues following a week of uncertainty in the wake of Roman Abramovich being sanctioned.
Chelsea are still coming to terms with the situation which has seen the Russian billionaire’s assets frozen, with the club forced to operate under a new narrow operational licence.
But on the field at least, it was business as usual for Thomas Tuchel’s side, who strengthened their grip on third place in the Premier League.
However, the winner was a contentious one after Chelsea were on the right side of two very divisive decisions through the tight encounter.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Did the referee get both of the major decisions wrong? Let us know in the comments
In the first-half eventual matchwinner Havertz clashed with Dan Burn when challenging for a header, with replays showing he led with his elbow.
Referee David Coote opted to only award the German a yellow card, with VAR John Brooks deciding to not overrule him.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe wasn’t too disappointed with that decision but was left furious after Coote denied his side a penalty, despite Trevoh Chalobah appearing to pull down Jacob Murphy in the area.
And Hackett, the former PGMOL chief, accused Coote of having a “mare” and suggested he got both of the game’s big calls incorrect.
“David Coote is having a bit of a mare,” Hackett posted on social media during the game. “Havertz should have received a red card for his high elbow into the face of Newcastle’s Burn.
“In the second half Chelsea’s number 14 holds the shirt of his opponent then pushes him over with left arm. Penalty kick to Newcastle not awarded.
“We need Nigel Owens on this holding offence don’t we. It is so obvious a penalty kick. If I was Eddie Howe I would be asking Mike Riley to explain.”
Speaking after the narrow defeat at Stamford Bridge, Howe claimed that the process to not give the Magpies a spot-kick “made a mocker of VAR”.
"Could have been a red but not going to shout from rooftops,” Howe said of Havertz’s challenge on Burn.
“But the penalty, with the use of VAR, I cannot understand how that has not been given or the ref has not been asked to go to the monitor and review his decision. That makes a mockery of VAR.”
The result ended an unbeaten run of nine matches in the Premier League, which included six wins, moving them nine points ahead of the bottom three.
But with 11 games to go, Howe is adamant that his side still have work to do if they are to avoid dropping back down into the Championship.
"On the ball we could have been better but what has brought us these good results of late was our defensive endeavour and that was present again today,” the Toon boss added.
"We are still in a relegation battle. We are under no illusion that we have to respond and we are looking forward to some big games ahead.”
