Newcastle United’s FA Cup clash against Brighton couldn’t have gone much worse for a number of reasons.
Everything seemed to be going according to plan when Alexander Isak calmly converted from the penalty spot to give Newcastle United the lead at St James’ Park.
But then former Newcastle star Yankuba Minteh scored on his return to Tyneside and then things went from bad to worse when Anthony Gordon was shown a red card for an incident involving Jan Paul van Hecke.
Eddie Howe ignored Gordon as he left the pitch, likely because the Newcastle boss realised that his star winger will now miss the upcoming Carabao Cup final.
Gordon lashed out after the whistle had blown, which only adds to fan frustration as the 24-year-old is set to serve a three-match suspension and miss the trip to Wembley.
Newcastle United offered red card appeal hope
The only way for Gordon to still feature in the final later this month is if Newcastle successfully appeal the red card to have the punishment overturned or reduced.
When Howe was asked if Newcastle will appeal, he said: “If we analyse the incident and feel there’s grounds for that, we will do without hesitation.”
There are already a few examples of successful appeals this season that should offer Newcastle some hope of overturning Gordon’s suspension.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes was sent off against Tottenham in the Premier League, but his three-match suspension was overturned after his challenge was deemed to not be “serious foul play”.
Similarly, Arsenal have successfully appealed a red card shown to Miley Lewis-Skelly this season after the Gunners youngster was sent off for ‘serious foul play’ against Wolves.
Anthony Gordon gives Eddie Howe Carabao Cup final headache
With less than two weeks to go until the cup final, Howe now has to hatch a game plan against an in-form Liverpool side without even knowing if Gordon will play.
Given Gordon puts two hands into the defender’s face, Newcastle have to assume that his suspension will be upheld.
Howe will now have to re-think his front line against Liverpool, with the likes of Joelinton, Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock the most likely left-wing replacements.
In the recent Premier League clash against Liverpool, Howe tried playing Gordon up front but the plan backfired and the Magpies looked toothless.
At Wembley, Howe now has to weigh up sticking to his 4-3-3 system with a replacement at left wing, or trying something new like he did against Arsenal in the semi-finals.
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