Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Mon 16 March 2026 10:51, UK

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Cole Palmer was extremely fortunate not to be sanctioned during Chelsea‘s defeat to Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the playmaker should be retrospectively punished for his actions on Saturday, 14 March.

Anthony Gordon scored the only goal of the game after just 18 minutes, with Liam Rosenior’s side pushing for an equaliser for much of the game, and Palmer tried absolutely everything.

Chelsea have eight Premier League games remaining, but if Hackett got his way, the 23-year-old would be unavailable for the Blues’ trip to face Everton on Saturday, 21 March.

Cole Palmer avoids punishment for act of simulation vs Newcastle

In the 62nd minute, Palmer went down in the area under pressure from Nick Woltemade, claiming a penalty. But replays would show that the Chelsea player stepped on his opponent’s foot instead.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Palmer, at times, tends to go to ground a little too easily. I think referees should build that picture of him. 

“It’s the downside of an extremely enjoyable player to watch. There’s not sufficient contact for him to fall down the way he does. It was theatrical. There’s no way it’s a penalty kick.

“He could have been carded for an act of simulation. I’d like to see an incident like this reviewed by a panel. If the panel agree that it’s simulation, then apply a one-match ban. 

“VAR is unable to come in. They’re allowed to come in on a penalty, and the judgment was that it’s not a penalty. If it’s not a penalty, why don’t they caution for simulation?”

What else did Paul Tierney get wrong at Stamford Bridge?

Paul Tierney did not get off to a very good start in West London, having been spotted stuck in the middle of Chelsea’s pre-match huddle, sparking a lot of fury online.

Then, Tierney failed to punish Reece James for a blatant foul on Malick Thiaw inside the penalty area, having pulled him to the floor as the Magpies whipped a corner into the area.

The referee was also very excited to get his cards out on the day, booking Wesley Fofana and Moises Caicedo in the space of two minutes, and the latter was a very harsh decision.

Caicedo appeared to win the ball before taking down Woltemade. If anything, it was a perfect tackle. Instead, Tierney added the incident to his list of blunders at Stamford Bridge.