Gordon red card huge blow for Newcastle League Cup hopes

NEWCASTLE, England - Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon looks set to miss the League Cup final against Liverpool after being shown a red card for violent conduct against Brighton and Hove Albion on March 2.

The hosts were beaten 2-1 in extra time in the FA Cup fifth round and their misery was complete with Gordon dismissed for shoving Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke in the face.

A dismissal for violent conduct is likely to lead to a three-game ban which would rule England international Gordon out of the Wembley showpiece on March 16.

Manager Eddie Howe said Newcastle are likely to appeal the red card decision.

“There’s a lot to unpack but it’s desperately disappointing to go out. The red card looked harsh, but we will have to analyse it properly. I have not seen a replay of it so I am going on my original view – I thought it looked harsh.

“If we analyse the incident and there are grounds for appeal, we will do that without hesitation. Knowing the player as I do, I know there was no malice intended.

“Anthony didn’t mean any harm. I have only seen him briefly (since the game ended) and he was very disappointed.”

Losing Gordon would be a huge blow for Newcastle in the final as they seek to win their first major trophy since 1955. The 24-year-old has scored nine goals in all competitions this season with six assists.

“If he is missing from the final, that will be a big blow to us – but when someone suffers misfortune in football, it’s someone else’s opportunity and that’s what we have a squad for,” Howe said.

Newcastle will also be concerned that top scorer Alexander