Allardyce robbed by "horrible decision"

Sam Allardyce, pictured here on December 8, admitted he felt robbed by Salomon Kalou's controversial late winner as Chelsea piled more pressure on the beleaguered Newcastle manager.

Sam Allardyce admitted he felt robbed by Salomon Kalou's controversial late winner as Chelsea piled more pressure on the beleaguered Newcastle manager.

Kalou was at least two yards offside when he scored from close range to clinch a 2-1 win over Allardyce's side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Ivory Coast striker was able to steal the points after Jon Obi Mikel's shot was deflected into his path via substitute Claudio Pizarro.

But assistant referee Mike Cairns' decision not to rule out the effort was harsh on Allardyce, who was already feeling the heat after failing to beat struggling Derby and Wigan.

Chelsea's Salomon Kalou(L) celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Newcastle with Scott Sinclair during the Premiership football match at Stamford Bridge in London. Kalou's goal three minutes from time saw Chelsea beat Newcastle United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge as they moved to within four points of Premier League leaders Manchester United.

"It's one of those decisions I wouldn't mind getting into trouble for to be honest, but that would cost me money and I don't want to part with money when I don't deserve it," said Allardyce.

"As a manager you can't say what you really think, you have to keep that bottled up inside you. There's no real excuse when the assistant referee sees it again.

"It hurts deeply for everybody at the the club, particularly the players. A result has been taken away from us through no fault of our own, but by an assistant referee who has got a horrible decision wrong.

"Unfortunately we have to take it on the chin as it can not be changed, but it is a severe blow to our confidence."

Chelsea's player John Obi Mikel(C) heads the ball clear from the penalty area against Newcastle during the Premiership football match at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea won 2-1.

Allardyce made it clear after this latest defeat that he is a supporter of television replays, but Chelsea manager Avram Grant will be pleased the technology has not been introduced.

Within moments of the goal being scored, it was clear from the screens inside the stadium that it should not have stood.

As Grant spoke afterwards he claimed not to have seen a replay of the winning strike, and instead chose to praise his under strength side for producing a victory that lifts them closer to the top of the table.

Ten Chelsea players were missing at Stamford Bridge, including suspended pair Ashley Cole and Ricardo Carvalho, as well as key stars Frank Lampard, John Terry, Andriy Shevchenko and Petr Cech.

Chelsea's goalkeeper Henrique Hilario(R) makes a save at the feet of Newcastle's Obafemi Martins during the Premiership football match at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea won 2-1.

"I think we deserved to win this game anyway," Grant said. "I think we are always in the picture for the championship race but given the situation, sometimes it is not easy.

"I think you saw the spirit of the team today. I prefer to speak of players who were with us today, but of course I wish all of our big players were with us.

"I don't want them to be out injured but it is out of my control. We need to do our best without them and we scored two goals and won the game so I am happy."

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given made two good first half saves to deny Kalou and Mikel, before Chelsea made their breakthrough on 29 minutes. Michael Essien was able to tap home after a Shaun Wright-Phillips shot deflected into his path.

Chelsea's Michael Essien(R) prepares to shoot at goal as Newcastle's Alan Smith(L) runs to challenge him during the Premiership football match at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea won 2-1.

Their lead was almost doubled either side of half-time, as Wright-Phillips headed wide, and then Given made an instinctive save to stop a Nicky Butt clearance from finding his own net.

Newcastle levelled against the run of play on 55 minutes. Charles N'Zogbia drilled a ball across the area and Butt was able to bundle the ball over the line under pressure from Wayne Bridge.

The game was then decided in controversial fashion on 87 minutes thanks to Kalou and the linesman. While Newcastle will feel hard done by, Chelsea can look forward to the New Year's Day trip to Fulham as a chance to move closer to the top of the league.