Former Premier League referees' chief Keith Hackett says Newcastle didn't deserve defeat at Chelsea on Sunday.
Kai Havertz scored an 89th minute winner for Thomas Tuchel's side, though Newcastle felt aggrieved that two key decisions went against them on Sunday.
In the first-half, goalscorer Havertz was fortunate to only get a yellow following an elbow on Magpies defender Dan Burn.
Newcastle were also denied what appeared to be a clear penalty after Trevoh Chalobah brought down Jacob Murphy inside Chelsea's area.
Hackett, the former head of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), tweeted: "What an appalling decision - this was holding that prevented forward movement. The push brought him down to the ground. Eddie Howe you have been let down by these two incompetent officials."
He also commented: "David Coote is having a bit of a mare. Havertz should have received a red card for his high elbow into the face of Newcastle's Burns.
"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 (Welsh rugby referee) 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."
One Twitter user said to Hackett: "What will it take for (Mike) Riley to be held to account for the utter incompetence of his employees and the appalling use of VAR. This #CHENEW is showing how far standards have fallen."
Hackett responded: "We see it - he (Riley) and the Board of Directors of PGMOL have their heads in the sand. They clearly know nothing about the game."
He went on to later tweet: "I want to state that the standard of officiating delivered by (Michael) Oliver and (Anthony) Taylor is the benchmark that others need to get to. Both have excellent movement, dynamic sprint and courage."
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