Former top referee rules on this controversial Newcastle v Brighton incident | OneFootball

Dermot Gallagher reviews controversial decisions in the Premier League after each round of games, on behalf of Sky Sports.

The former top referee has now given his call on this incidents in the Newcastle v Brighton match in the FA Cup..

Dermot Gallagher looking at what happened during a key moment in this match at St James’ Park.

A moment that arguably went a long way to dictating how this FA Cup match ended up, plus how it has potentially impacted matches that will follow…

Dermot Gallagher talking to Sky Sports about this Newcastle v Brighton controversial incident:

The Presenter:

“Anthony Gordon, a straight red card for pushing Van Hecke in the head against Brighton, what did you make of the decision to send him off?”

Dermot Gallagher:

“I think it was a very unwise thing for Anthony Gordon to do.

“The whistle had gone, play had been stopped.

“For whatever reason, he decided to take a very unwise action,

“Once you put hands in a player’s face like he did and don’t forget, he put both hands in his face in a real aggressive pushing motion.

“I think it was inevitable he was going to get a red card.

“What the big talking point is, is because the Carabao Cup Final is coming up, he is now going to miss that game unless he wins his appeal.

“Which I would suggest he has no chance whatsoever of doing, in my opinion”

Presenter:

“What chance do Newcastle United have of the ban getting reduced from three matches to one?”

Dermot Gallagher:

“Well, that’s a different case.

“Appealing against a red card decision like that, you would have to prove the referee has made a clear and obvious mistake.

“When you look at the images, I don’t think anybody watching that can say, he has made a clear and obvious mistake.

“Anthony Gordon has clearly put both hands into his face, he has pushed him in an aggressive manner.

“You know, it is violent conduct.

“Whether they [Newcastle United] will appeal that a three match ban is too much, that’s a different matter.

“They can do that but I can’t seriously see them winning an appeal and getting a three match ban overturned whatsoever.”

Newcastle 1 Brighton 2 (AET) – Sunday 2 March 2025 1.45pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Isak 22 pen, Gordon red card 83

Brighton:

Minteh 44, Lamptey red card 90+1, Welbeck 114 extra time

Possession was Newcastle 48% Brighton 52%

Total shots were Newcastle 15 Brighton 21

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Brighton 5

Corners were Newcastle 6 Brighton 5

Touches in the box Newcastle 38 Brighton 45

Newcastle team v Brighton:

Dubravka, Livramento, Trippier (Targett 69), Schar, Burn, Joelinton (Willock 56), Tonali, Miley (Bruno 56), Gordon, Isak (Wilson 86), Barnes (Murphy 56)

Unused subs:

Pope, Krafth, Osula, Longstaff

(Newcastle 1 Brighton 2 (AET) – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 Brighton 2 (AET) – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

(An opportunity lost – Newcastle 1 Brighton 2 (AET) – Read HERE)

Upcoming Newcastle United fixtures:

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 16 March – Newcastle v Liverpool (4.30pm) Carabao Cup final Sky Sports

Wednesday 2 April – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm)

Monday 7 April – Leicester v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 13 April – Newcastle v Man U (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 16 April – Newcastle v Palace (7.30pm)

Saturday 19 April – Villa v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports