Newcastle United suffered a major setback ahead of their Carabao Cup final clash with Liverpool after Anthony Gordon received a red card against Brighton in the FA Cup.
Adding to their woes, top scorer Alexander Isak’s much-anticipated return from injury was cut short when he limped off and was replaced by Callum Wilson, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming final.
Gordon, a former Everton winger, was dismissed in the second half at St. James’ Park after an altercation with Jan Paul van Hecke. With the score tied at 1-1, he lashed out in frustration and now faces a three-game suspension, ruling him out of the Wembley showdown on March 16. His absence is a significant blow for Newcastle, as he has been one of their most influential players this season.
Speaking on BBC’s coverage of the match, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson criticized Gordon’s actions. “Anthony Gordon has gone over the top of Jan Paul van Hecke.
Gordon knows he cannot get there and he has run into Van Hecke with two hands. It looked like frustration to me. He has pushed the Brighton defender with force. Petulance. That’s all it was. Gordon felt hard done by that he didn’t get the early penalty. That motion is what the referee has seen. It is stupid from Anthony Gordon.”
This marks the second time Gordon will miss a Carabao Cup final for Newcastle. Last season, he was unable to feature in the final against Manchester United, which Newcastle lost, as he was cup-tied due to playing for Everton in an earlier round. Reflecting on that disappointment, Gordon previously admitted his frustration.
“I was devastated last time. I played in a stupid cup game just before I came to Newcastle. I had a broken hand, I just remember thinking, ‘Why did I play in that game?’ I travelled down, unfortunately, we lost, but what an experience. Hopefully, I get to be part of it this time, but that’s up to us. We’ve got a good advantage, but we’re facing a top team, so it could change really quickly. It’s totally in our hands now.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle must also monitor Isak’s condition after he was forced off the pitch following his return from a groin injury. The Swedish striker, who had earlier opened the scoring, missed Newcastle’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in midweek due to the same issue. His early exit raises concerns about whether he will recover in time for the final, a game where Newcastle will need their best players available.
The night went from bad to worse for Newcastle when Brighton capitalized on their numerical advantage. With the game extending into extra time, Danny Welbeck delivered the decisive blow, scoring to seal a 2-1 victory and send Brighton through to the next round of the FA Cup.
This latest setback leaves Newcastle in a difficult position as they prepare for the Carabao Cup final. With Gordon suspended and Isak’s fitness in question, manager Eddie Howe will need to find solutions quickly.
Facing a formidable Liverpool side at Wembley, Newcastle must regroup and find a way to cope with these significant absences. The loss to Brighton serves as a harsh reminder of the challenges ahead, and unless Newcastle can overcome these obstacles, their hopes of lifting the Carabao Cup could be in serious jeopardy.
