Anthony Gordon is the latest Newcastle star to suffer an injury (Picture: Getty Images)
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says Anthony Gordon suffered a ‘really nasty looking knock’ in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday night.
Gordon was brutally scythed down by Moises Caicedo after just two minutes at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues midfielder fortunate to avoid a red card for the studs-up challenge into the back of the winger’s leg.
The Newcastle man carried on, but went down early in the second half and was replaced by Matt Ritchie.
Howe says that the former Everton man did sustain an injury, though, and although he did not commit to the opinion himself, said that others have told him Caicedo should have been sent-off.
‘Anthony Gordon took a really nasty looking knock,’ said the Newcastle boss. ‘I haven’t seen it myself, but people are telling me that they think it’s a red card.’
The Magpies boss confirmed that Sven Botman has not picked up another injury, but was only ever meant to play half a match, but Emil Krafth did suffer a problem.
‘Botman was planned, 45 minutes was a nice step for him,’ said Howe on the defender. ‘Krafth took a knock.’
Eddie Howe admitted it was a painful night for his team (Picture: Getty Images)
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given felt that Caicedo was very lucky to avoid a red card for his lunge on Gordon, with the lack of VAR likely saving the Chelsea man.
‘Two minutes in is maybe the only thing that’s saved him,’ Given told Sky Sports. ‘It’s the start of the game, football’s all about entertainment, we want to see 11 vs 11 on the pitch.
‘But if we had VAR tonight, when you see that freeze, it’s nowhere near the ball, he’s not even trying to play the ball, studs down the back of his leg, it’s a bad tackle.’
Newcastle are back in action at Luton on Saturday in the Premier League.
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