Howe's message after Gordon's moment of madness and reaction to FA Cup exit
Eddie Howe has been left “devastated” following Newcastle’s extra-time loss to Brighton at St James’ Park, ending the Magpies’ hopes of winning the FA Cup for another season.
In a game marred by Anthony Gordon’s straight red card in the dying minutes, which is expected to rule him out for the trip to Wembley against Liverpool, it proved to be yet another unbearable watch for many Newcastle fans as Danny Welbeck's extra-time strike dumped us out.
Here’s what a frustrated Eddie Howe had to say in the immediate aftermath of a fifth round tie that couldn't have gone much worse.
Howe on Gordon’s red card
Similar to Nick Pope’s red card in the run up to the Carabao Cup final two years ago, a moment of madness from Anthony Gordon saw the England international receive a straight red card from referee Anthony Taylor.
Striking Seagulls’ defender Van Hecke with his elbow, Gordon’s chance to play in the biggest game of his career is almost certainly over, pending any appeal Newcastle will make in the coming days.
“I don't know what Anthony's intention was. I'm sure it wasn't to harm. But I don't know quite what's happened. I think either way we have to support Anthony in this moment.” said Howe, reflecting on the incident.
“I’m straight out here to speak to the media, I think he’ll need a bit of support and communications from us. But these things happen in the game, and such an emotional game today, we’re all desperately disappointed.”
“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 added: "He plays hard - I want him to play hard, I want him to be competitive, but I don't see an issue there at this moment.
"I think it would be very out of context with how he is generally, maybe a bit of frustration in the game that things weren't going our way, but I'd say that's not a common sight for me when Anthony plays."
"Desperately disappointed for him and the team" 😞
Eddie Howe reacts to Anthony Gordon's red card against Brighton, which rules him out of the Carabao Cup final ❌🏆 pic.twitter.com/y92IX6zRuJ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 2, 2025
On Newcastle’s overall performance
Despite a few strong performances, mainly from Alexander Isak, Tino Livramento and Martin Dubravka, it was once again a very frustrating on-field display from Newcastle in 2025.
Even when it looked like Fabian Schar had secured a stoppage time winner, few fans would say the team deserved to progress particularly after their second half performance, blighted by opportunities missed by the likes of Joe Willock.
But Eddie Howe has urged his players to stay strong and not let the bitter result affect their mentality moving forward.
"A really tough day. So much to take in - red cards, late VAR drama and ultimately dissapointed...devastated to lose in the way we did."
“I think from the elation of thinking you’ve won the game, to then knowing you haven’t, and you’ve got to commit back to the game, and then the low of conceding so late on after the players have given so much to the game.”
“Yeah disappointing experience, but we have to learn from it and come back stronger. It was a tough afternoon."
