Eddie Howe gives his verdict on Anthony Gordon’s ‘harsh’ red card with ‘really disappointed’ star to miss the Carabao Cup final… and delivers injury update on Alexander Isak

Eddie Howe has hinted at launching an appeal against Anthony Gordon’s bizarre red card as Newcastle were booted out of the FA Cup by Brighton.

Gordon was shown a straight red card in the 83rd minute for pushing Jan Paul van Hecke in the head – which will see him suspended for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool if it stands.

While Brighton’s numbers advantage would only last for eight minutes – with Tariq Lamptey earning a second yellow in stoppage time – the Seagulls were nevertheless able to get the win over the line as Danny Welbeck’s extra-time chip proved the difference.

With emotions taking centre-stage in a dramatic affair, Howe perceived Gordon’s sending off as unwarranted – at least at first glance.

‘Well, it looks harsh, but we’ll have to analyse it properly,’ he told ITV. 

‘I’ve not seen a replay of it. I was just going on my original view. I thought it looked harsh, but we’ll see and then see what we do next.

Gordon pushed Jan Paul van Hecke in the face to warrant an early bath as Newcastle lost

Eddie Howe felt that the decision to dismiss his man was harsh, at least at first glance

‘I don’t know [if Gordon lost control of his emotions]. I think I’d need to see it again properly to see exactly what happened. It was just a mass of bodies in my first viewing. 

‘Anthony obviously didn’t mean any harm. I’ve only seen him very briefly before coming out to you. He was really disappointed.’

Howe was then asked if Newcastle were planning to appeal the decision, to which he replied: ‘Possibly.’

Gordon’s dismissal was not the only loss in personnel felt by Newcastle on what was a torrid afternoon at St. James’ Park.

Alexander Isak limped off in the second half of the contest after initially excelling on his return from a groin problem, where he the scoring with an unstoppable penalty.

Isak missed out on the trip to Liverpool in midweek due to injury and Newcastle fans will now hope his substitution was only made as a precaution.

‘We’ve seen how much of an impact he can have on this team and how well he’s playing,’ Ian Wright said, reflecting on the potential injury blow for Isak.

‘He was fantastic in the first half, so you’re hoping it’s just a precautionary. He’s come off because he’s felt something, and if he’s not playing, you really would feel like they’re going to struggle.’ 

Alexander Isak limped off late into the contest, sparking fears of a recurrence of his injury

Danny Welbeck brilliantly chipped Martin Dubravka in extra time to send Newcastle packing

Isak’s opener was cancelled out on the brink of half-time by the returning Yankuba Minteh, who was sold in the summer by Newcastle to comply with PSR.

Minteh’s deflected strike made up for his earlier blunder, with the Gambian putting in a rash challenge to concede the penalty Isak broke the deadlock from.

Newcastle thought they had won it in the dying moments of normal time as Fabian Schar knocked home for a free-kick delivery – only for semi-automated offsides to deem his run marginally early.

Welbeck brilliantly chipped Martin Dubravka in extra time to seal the win for the Seagulls, sending Newcastle packing from the FA Cup and putting that much more pressure on their Carabao Cup finale in two weeks as they look finally to end their 70-year wait for a trophy.