Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon’s red card in Newcastle’s FA Cup defeat: ‘I thought it looked harsh’ | OneFootball

Eddie Howe says he did not feel Anthony Gordon meant any harm in the challenge that saw the Newcastle forward sent off in the Magpies’ 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup.

Alexander Isak had opened the scoring for Howe’s side in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot, but the Seagulls fought back, and equalised just before the break through former Newcastle player Yankuba Minteh.

With the game heading to extra time, a moment of insanity from Gordon, who has struggled for form of late, as he shoved Jean Paul van Hecke in the face as the pair fought for the ball in the 83rd minute. Referee Anthony Taylor had no choice but to send off the England international, who will no serve a three match ban for violent conduct, and ruling him out of the Carabao Cup Final against Liverpool.

Fabian Schar thought he had secured Newcastle victory in the 93rd minute after Tariq Lamptey was sent off for a second yellow two minutes prior, but VAR found the Swiss international to be offside.

But deep into extra time, substitute Solly March played through fellow substitute Danny Welbeck, who lobbed the ball over Martin Dubravka in the Newcastle goal to send Fabian Hurzeler’s men into the quarter-finals.

When asked about the red card for Gordon, Howe believes there was no malice from the 24-year-old:

“It looked harsh, but we will have to analyse it properly,” Howe said. “We have not seen a replay of it. I am going on my original view, I thought it looked harsh.

“Possibly. Anthony didn’t mean any harm. I have only seen him very briefly before coming out to you and he was very disappointed.”

“I don’t think Anthony has gone with any intention to do any harm there. I have to see it properly before giving a big opinion on it.”