Following a straight red card in the Magpies’ FA Cup fifth-round match against Brighton on Sunday, Anthony Gordon will not play in the Carabao Cup final between Newcastle and Liverpool. After a penalty kick from Alexander Isak was negated by a goal from Yankuba Minteh, a former Newcastle youth, the scores were tied going into the final ten minutes. Then, in extra time, Brighton would prevail as Danny Welbeck advanced the Seagulls to the round of eight.
As another half hour drew near, Gordon was shown sparring with defender Jan Paul van Hecke before shoving the Dutchman in the face and knocking him down. Eddie Howe’s star player will now miss the team’s biggest game of the season when they return to Wembley for the first time since 2023 after referee Anthony Taylor showed no hesitation in issuing the red card.
Anthony Gordon has been sent off! 🟥#ITVFootball | #NEWBHA pic.twitter.com/uJ4WJTIwDE
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 2, 2025
Games Gordon Will Miss Through Suspension
The attacker will also miss two Premier League games following his sending off
Social media users criticised Gordon’s petty behaviour, even calling the Van Hecke challenge pointless and foolish. The winger is likely to receive a minimum three-match suspension because he was given a straight red card. The boyhood Liverpool supporter will not be able to play against Arne Slot’s team on March 16th, though, as this is applicable to all domestic games that Newcastle is involved in, not only the FA Cup.
Gordon, who has been one of Newcastle’s best players this season, would have undoubtedly been crucial to the team’s victory in the final as they attempt to snap their seventy-year domestic trophy drought. Casemiro and Marcus Rashford’s goals helped the Magpies lose 2-0 to Manchester United in the 2023 EFL Cup final, their most recent appearance.
Gordon is also expected to miss the March 10th trip to West Ham and the April 2nd visit from Brentford in addition to the Wembley trip.
The suspension of Anthony Gordon’s games for
Play the game
Date
Rivalry
Newcastle versus West Ham
October 3, 2025
The Premier League
Newcastle versus Liverpool
March 16, 2025
Final Carabao Cup
Brentford versus Newcastle
February 4, 2025
The Premier League
Eddie Howe Comments on Gordon Sending Off
The Newcastle manager also revealed if he will appeal the decision
Howe shared his thoughts on the decision in an interview with ITV following the game. He stated that he initially thought Gordon’s actions were not malicious and that the sending off was severe.
“It appeared severe, but a thorough analysis is necessary. I’m simply relying on my initial impression; I haven’t seen a replay of it. Although that seems severe to me, we’ll see what happens next. To really understand what transpired, I believe I must see it again. When I first saw it, it was just a mass of bodies.
“It’s clear that Anthony had no malicious intent. I came out to you after seeing him for a very short time. He’s really let down.”
🗣️ "I thought [the sending off] looked harsh."
🗣️ "[The result] is a tough one for us to take."
Eddie Howe on defeat, Gordon's red card and what was lacking in extra time.#ITVFootball | #NEWBHA | 🎙️ @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/1xLVfekhcc
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 2, 2025
Howe added that Newcastle might contest the dismissal, but his response has drawn harsh criticism online, with supporters labelling the former Bournemouth boss “deluded” for his interpretation of events.
