What Anthony Gordon's red card in the FA Cup means ahead of Newcastle United's Carabao Cup final

Anthony Gordon is set to be ruled out for three games after the Newcastle United winger was shown a straight red card in their dramatic FA Cup fifth round clash against Brighton.

In the latter stages of Sunday's game at St James' Park, the Magpies were reduced to 10 men after Gordon lashed out at defender Jan Paul van Hecke with seven minutes of normal time remaining.

Referee Anthony Taylor proceeded the show the England international a straight red card, which means he will serve a three-game ban for violent conduct.

Gordon will not feature in Premier League games against West Ham and Brentford but perhaps more importantly, the winger is set to miss this month's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, which will take place on March 16.

Here is that incident involving Gordon and Jan Paul van Hecke. Do you think it was a red card?

Anthony Gordon has been sent off! 🟥#ITVFootball | #NEWBHA pic.twitter.com/uJ4WJTIwDE

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 2, 2025

Here's how fans on social media reacted to Gordon's red.

One said: "Anthony Gordon sent off for Newcastle and will serve a three-match ban, missing the Carabao Cup final. A completely stupid and needless red card too."

A second wrote: "Seasons turn on footballers making very daft decisions. And Anthony Gordon may well have cost Newcastle in this game and in the League Cup final. What was he thinking there? That seemed so idiotic."

A third commented: "Anthony Gordon with a moment of madness," and a fourth added: "Nice of Anthony Gordon to get a straight red which means he misses the cup final against his boyhood club."

A fifth added: "Anthony Gordon said watching the 2023 Carabao final from the stands was one of the hardest moments of his career. He couldn’t wait for Wembley. Now one reckless moment means he’ll be watching the 2025 Carabao Cup final from the stands too."

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson gave his take on the incident as he commentated on the game for BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Anthony Gordon has gone over the top of Jan Paul van Hecke," Robinson said. "Gordon knows he cannot get there and he has run into Van Hecke with two hands. It looked like frustration to me. He has pushed the Brighton defender with force."

"Petulance. That’s all it was," Robinson added. "Gordon felt hard done by that he didn’t get the early penalty. That motion is what the referee has seen. It is stupid from Anthony Gordon."

Thoughts on the incident? Let us know in the comments.