The Chelsea fixture, on Sunday, saw our summer signing, Fabian Schar, make his debut.
Schar was deployed in a back-three as Rafael Benitez tried to nullify the threat posed by the attacking talent Chelsea have in abundance in their ranks.
Unfortunately, Schar’s excellent debut was somewhat marred by a controversial penalty decision given by the referee, Paul Tierney.
Tierney decided that a perfectly good tackle on Marcus Alonso, where Fabian got the ball first, was a foul, with Eden Hazard scoring the subsequent penalty.
Following the final whistle, Schar took to social media to offer his views on the decision.
Like many inside the ground and thousands watching the action on TV, Schar didn’t agree with the decision:
???? Fabian Schär had his say on the penalty decision which saw @ChelseaFC take the lead at St. James' Park this evening when he spoke to NUFC TV shortly after the final whistle.
Watch the full interview: https://t.co/pZdEams8cu #NUFC pic.twitter.com/sa9jugbeGJ
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 26, 2018
Schar’s views are echoed by many others on social media:
You did right thing and penalty its not your fault, Fabian. Well done, anyway!
— Stephan (@st_prm) August 26, 2018
It was NOT penalty…it was a brilliant tackle!
— Paul Mitchell (@GastonGrimsdyke) August 26, 2018
Good debut, you were unlucky. You go again and do us proud.
— el Danilo. ⚫️⚪️ (@DoctorCookeh) August 26, 2018
That WAS NOT a penalty and you have nothing to explain but the hard spirit, determination and team effort. Another poor decision from poor referees holding a bias towards southern high value teams. Fantastic display of perpetual diving from Messr Hazard though – simply pitiful!
— Tim B (@tbowmanuk) August 26, 2018
Penalty should not have been called.
— Allan Rook-Green (@allanrg1) August 26, 2018
Those views are reflective of those of Vital Newcastle United, it was a poor decision.
But, we’ll leave you with a social media comment that is brash and to the point:
It was no penalty the referee was pathetic.
— thereal andrew young (@temperamentalan) August 26, 2018
Let’s hope that Newcastle get the rub of the green in their next match when they face the Premier League title holders, Manchester City.