Newcastle United are going to be without Nick Pope for the Carabao Cup final, and Manchester United are lucky Marcel Sabitzer won’t be suspended too after his horror tackle went unpunished on Sunday.
Saturday night brought despair for Toon fans, with first choice goalkeeper Pope enduring a moment of madness. His failed attempt to stop Mo Salah racing through on goal ended in a handball and an immediate red card.
It was a crushing blow at 2-0 down, made even worse by the fact he will now miss Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United. And with Martin Dubravka suspended and Karl Darlow loaned out, it looks like Loris Karius will make his debut at Wembley.
Pope’s omission certainly gives Manchester United an edge, as he has been one of the best goalkeepers in the country this season. Instead, Toon fans will have to get behind the man who is best known for his blunder in the 2018 Champions League final.
But while Newcastle are now dealing with a ban going into the final, Erik ten Hag’s side are extremely lucky to avoid one.
Marcel Sabitzer avoids punishment for horror tackle
Man United strengthened their top four credentials with a 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday. However, they were very lucky not to go down to 10 men in the first half.
January signing Sabitzer produced a horror challenge on Foxes defender Wout Faes. The Austrian lunged in and made contact with the Belgian, going studs up into his knee. It was really dangerous from Sabitzer, who somehow went unpunished.
The referee gave nothing, while VAR failed to rectify the mistake. It was a shocking decision that former Newcastle boss Graeme Souness summed up very well.
Graeme Souness and Alan Shearer react to Sabitzer’s challenge
“That is a sending off. That is dangerous play. If that’s not dangerous play then what is,” he told Sky Sports.
Alan Shearer also had his say, and believes that the 28-year-old got away with one on Sunday afternoon.
He wrote on Twitter: “Very lucky to escape a red.”
While Sabitzer was lucky, Pope was not. There is no denying that Pope’s red card was the right decision, but it seems seismically unfair that he cannot play on Sunday because of what he did, while Sabitzer is eligible despite endangering an opponent with his ‘tackle’.
A shocking decision by the referee, and a shocking decision by VAR. It means that Sabitzer will be allowed to play at Wembley, while Pope watches on from the stands.
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