Newcastle United evening headlines: Ex-ref blasts penalty call and Dubai training camp revealed

Your Newcastle United evening headlines for Monday, March 14.

Former top-flight referee Dermot Gallagher backs Newcastle United's supporters' claims that their side should have been awarded a penalty against Chelsea. Trevoh Chalobah appeared to bring down Magpies' winger Jacob Murphy inside the area after pulling on his shirt, but David Coote failed to point to the spot.

VAR did not call for the referee to have a pitch-side look at the incident - much to the anger of Toon supporters - and Newcastle ultimately lost 1-0. Gallagher thinks the wrong decision was made and fans were right to feel cheated out of a result.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Chalobah doesn't play the ball, it should have been a goal kick or a penalty. So when the referee says I've given the corner, he's telling everyone I think Chalobah has played the ball."

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Newcastle will travel to the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in Dubai after Thursday night's game against Everton. Eddie Howe credited January's trip to Saudi Arabia as a key factor in 'uniting' the dressing room as the Magpies embarked on a nine-game unbeaten run.

A 16-day break in the fixture list offers Newcastle another opportunity to get away and conduct warm-weather training ahead of the business end of the season. To read more, click here.

Howe was forced to make last-minute tactical changes against Chelsea due to Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock falling ill on the morning of the game. The Magpies boss made four changes to the side that won 2-1 against Southampton as Sean Longstaff was into midfield and Newcastle reverted to a back five.

Reformed £40million man Joelinton was again ruled out with a knock, meaning Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes - the two players