Newcastle United is weighing the possibility of appealing the red card assessed against Anthony Gordon during their recent FA Cup match against Brighton, which has serious ramifications for the team's upcoming Carabao Cup final showdown with Liverpool.
The incident occurred late on Sunday afternoon at St James' Park, where Gordon was sent off for violent conduct after shoving Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke. This dismissal, which came just seven minutes before normal time concluded, leaves Gordon facing a three-match ban, effectively ruling him out of the Carabao Cup final set for March 16.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe voiced his disappointment over the decision, stating, "Of course. If we analyse the incident and feel there’s grounds for appeal, we will do without hesitation." He emphasized the importance of reviewing the situation thoroughly before forming a concrete opinion.
The incident unfolded when Gordon, frustrated by the game, shoved Van Hecke, visibly altering the course of the match. Recounting the moment, Howe remarked, "He plays hard – I want him to play hard, I want him to be competitive, but I don't see an issue there at this moment." Howe suggested the incident might have stemmed from frustration rather than malice, pointing out, "Knowing the player, I know there's no malice intended there."
The dismissal came after Newcastle scored the opening goal through Alexander Isak, who converted from the penalty spot just 22 minutes in. With the match evenly poised, Gordon's actions shifted dynamics, and Brighton capitalized, with Danny Welbeck scoring the winner during extra time. Howe acknowledged the overall mood of the team, saying, "It’s not a great day for us, but it could have been. When someone suffers misfortune, it’s someone else’s opportunity. That’s what we have a squad for."
Gordon's absence is significant, especially after losing key players such as Nick Pope due to similar suspensions. Once again, the fate of the team hangs on the resolutions made during pivotal moments. Keith Downie, reporting for Sky Sports News, characterized the afternoon as one of the worst Newcastle could have experienced, caught between frustrating injuries and now Gordon’s suspension. "That's as bad an afternoon as Newcastle could have had. They are out of the FA Cup, and Anthony Gordon is suspended for the Carabao Cup final," Downie reported.
Now, as the club looks to regroup, Howe is focused on preparing his squad for the Cup final against Liverpool. The team has struggled lately, losing three out of their last four matches, indicating dashed hopes of maintaining momentum going forward. Howe remarked on the situation candidly, stating, "Stuttering is a good way to put it. I don’t know if the cup final has become a negative distraction, but I know the level has dropped where it was just weeks ago.”
The entire Newcastle team is now under pressure to adapt and rise to the challenge posed by their upcoming match, especially with the stakes being particularly high against Liverpool. Howe reassured fans and players alike, stressing the importance of working through the disappointment after previously having their spirits dampened by injuries and now this red card incident.
The impending appeal against Gordon's red card remains uncertain, but it holds significant importance for his return to the pitch. Whether the appeal will bear fruit or not remains to be seen. For now, the focus is on regrouping and channeling their energies toward the decisive match at Wembley.