Nick Woltemade gave the Magpies two goals with a brace in the first half to make up for his own goal in the Tyne-Wear Derby defeat to Sunderland last weekend.
But the Blues hit back in the second half, first through a curling free-kick from Reece James and a brilliant solo goal from Joao Pedro to rescue a point on the road.
“Difficult because we played so well today,” Howe told BBC Match of the Day. “An excellent performance, especially in the first half. Devastated for the boys that we didn’t win.”
“[The first half] was a reminder of how good we can be. So good athletically, and the press was excellent for us too, and we were a real threat. It’s further evidence that we are improving. We need more of that.”
Newcastle have now lost thirteen points from winning positions this season, the most in the Premier League.
“It’s painful for us because we’ve been in this position before,” Howe added. “All we can do is learn from these experiences and try to improve. If we had those points back, we would have been in a different position.”
Shortly after Chelsea’s first goal, Anthony Gordon was charged across the endline by Trevoh Chalobah in the penalty area, but referee Andy Madley waved away calls for a penalty before his decision was upheld by VAR.
“I thought it was a stonewall penalty and the defender went in with too much aggression,” Howe insisted. “Anywhere else on the pitch is a free kick. So I’m really disappointed that it wasn’t given.”
When asked by TNT Sports whether he accepted that the challenge was not a foul because he was standing shoulder to shoulder, the Newcastle boss replied: “No, because it is not. The defender was only looking at Anthony and not at the ball. I think it is too aggressive.”
Howe added: “My opinion, yes. I think it’s a clear penalty. Elsewhere on the pitch it’s a free kick. The player went at Anthony aggressively. Too aggressive in my opinion. So I think it was a stonewall.”
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