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Martin Keown takes ‘big club’ swipe at Newcastle United as he explains why Anthony Gordon was sent off
Sean Fisher
3 minutes
Martin Keown has a theory on why Anthony Gordon recklessly got himself sent off for Newcastle United against Brighton.
Anthony Gordon is set to miss the Carabao Cup final this month as he serves a three-match suspension for his red card offence against Brighton.
With just eight minutes remaining, Anthony Gordon lashed out at Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke, shoving him in the face. Referee Anthony Taylor had no option but to reach for his pocket.
Eddie Howe ignored Gordon as he left the pitch – the Newcastle boss will now have to plan for the final against Liverpool without his star winger.
Newcastle could appeal Gordon’s red card and hope to get it overturned or reduced, but the footage from the FA Cup clash suggests he lashed out.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Martin Keown reacts to Anthony Gordon red card
Gordon missed Newcastle’s 2023 final and was heartbroken in the stands, and he’ll have to watch from afar as his teammates step out onto Wembley again.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown reacted to Gordon’s red card, and he believes his lack of experience at a “big club” played a factor.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Keown said: “He’s gone below the line and he’s going to have to pay the penalty for that and that’s massive for the players and for him personally.
“He’s going to have to sit and watch them run out at Wembley – there’s nothing that hurts more, trust me I’ve been there.
“You start progressing as a club, you need to start thinking about what’s ahead of you. If you asked him again if he knew what was going to happen, there’s no way he’s doing that.
“But he’s not been around success and big clubs. When you are, there’s a certain way you have to behave and that’s going to really hurt him.”
Eddie Howe didn’t want players thinking about the cup final
After the defeat in 2023, Howe said the build-up to the cup final was “exhausting” for the staff and players.
In an attempt to fix that, Newcastle made changes for the cup final this time around, including less interviews and media build-up in the weeks leading up to the Wembley trip.
Alan Shearer believes Newcastle players were distracted by the cup final during the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City.
READ MORE: It is obvious what Eddie Howe must do against Liverpool after Anthony Gordon’s moment of madness
But it was clear as day that Gordon was not thinking about Wembley when he lashed out on Sunday afternoon – perhaps he should have been.
Newcastle’s chances of ending the 70-year trophy drought just took a blow, but Howe urged Newcastle fans to support Gordon despite his mistake. The cup final is still there to be won.
