Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has backed the decision to send off Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, potentially ruling him out of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. The 24-year old-was shown a red card after an incident with Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke on Sunday.
Hackett believes that referee Anthony Taylor had “no option” but to dismiss the former Everton forward. Reports suggest Newcastle may appeal the decision, but if unsuccessful, Gordon will miss three matches including the Wembley final.
Hackett told Football Insider: “When you place your hand, or hands, into the face of the opponent with a degree of force, it really leaves the referee – in this case Anthony Taylor – little option other than to show a red card and dismiss the player from the field There’s no clear and obvious error, there’s no VAR intervention on that one, Taylor had no option other than to dismiss him.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted that at first glance, the winger’s red card seemed harsh and the club may consider appealing the decision ahead of the final. He said: “Well it looks harsh, we’ll have to analyse it properly.
I’ve not seen a replay on it, I’m just going on my original view, I thought it looked harsh but we’ll see then see what we do. Possibly [appeal].
“I’d need to see it again to see what properly happened, it was a mass of bodies in my first viewing. Anthony obviously didn’t mean any harm. I’ve only seen him very briefly but he’s disappointed.”
Howe added in his press conference: “Of course. If we analyze the incident and feel there’s grounds for that [an appeal], we will do without hesitation.
“I’d need to see it, I can’t sit here and give an honest opinion to that until I’ve done the work that you’ve done and looked at it. But knowing the player, I know there’s no malice intended there.”
Newcastle has just one game before the Carabao Cup final, against West Ham this weekend. Howe also has several injury concerns to deal with after Alexander Isak limped off against Brighton on his return from injury. Lewis Hall is also a major doubt after picking up a knock against Liverpool.
