Anthony Gordon received a straight red card after pushing Jan Paul van Hecke. Photo: Scott Heppell/Reuters.
Newcastle United’s head coach, Eddie Howe, admitted he was unaware during the FA Cup match against Brighton that Anthony Gordon’s red card would sideline him for the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Red Card Incident
Gordon saw red after pushing Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke in the face while competing for the ball. Referee Anthony Taylor deemed it violent conduct, leading to an automatic three-match suspension. This decision, unless overturned, rules Gordon out of the final at Wembley.
When informed about this after the game, Howe expressed disappointment. "I was fully focused on the match. If this means he misses the final, it's a huge blow for him and the team," he stated.
Will Newcastle Challenge the Ban?
Gordon has been a key player for Newcastle, even scoring against Liverpool in a 3-3 draw last December. His presence in the cup final was almost certain before this suspension.
Asked whether the club would appeal, Howe responded, “If we believe there’s a strong case, we will act without hesitation.” However, he admitted he needed to review the footage before commenting further.
Despite the incident, Howe defended Gordon’s character. “He plays with intensity, and I encourage that. I don’t think there was any malice. It could’ve been frustration, but it’s not typical of his game,” he explained.
Chances of Overturning the Decision
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson criticized Gordon’s reaction, calling it unnecessary. Since the push was to the opponent’s face, overturning the decision seems unlikely. The last successful red card appeal involved Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, but that was considered a wrong call by officials.
Injury Worries about Newcastle
Apart from Gordon’s potential absence, Newcastle faces more concerns. Lewis Hall was unavailable for the Brighton game, and key striker Alexander Isak was subbed off as a precaution due to muscle tightness. Howe confirmed there was no serious injury but acknowledged the need for caution.
