Newcastle United’s clash with Liverpool at St James’ Park turned into a dramatic rollercoaster on Saturday, and it all started with a moment of recklessness that left fans and pundits shaking their heads.
Anthony Gordon was sent off in the first half after a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk, sparking outrage from former players and football experts alike.
The Tackle That Shocked Everyone
Gordon initially received a yellow card for his high-speed slide tackle in first-half stoppage time, but a VAR review quickly upgraded it to a red.
Referee Simon Hooper explained his decision to the crowd:
“After review, the Newcastle United number 10 commits a serious foul play challenge.
The challenge is with speed and makes clear contact on the Liverpool number 4’s calf.
My final decision is red card to Newcastle United number 10.”
The tackle left Van Dijk with visible stud marks on his leg, underlining just how reckless the challenge had been.
Pundits Don’t Hold Back
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer didn’t mince words, calling the incident “stupid” on social media.
Jamie Carragher labelled the challenge as “daft,” suggesting Gordon might have let the electric atmosphere inside the stadium get the better of him.
Even Thierry Henry, providing commentary on Sky Sports, admitted that while the tackle might have been a yellow in his playing days, the speed and intensity made the red card understandable.
“Why do you put yourself in this situation? He gets carried away with what’s been happening,” Henry said.
Fans Show Support Despite the Red
Interestingly, Gordon received applause from Newcastle fans as he walked off the pitch, showing the team’s supporters recognized his commitment despite the reckless decision.
At the time, the Magpies were trailing 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ryan Gravenberch, which had come against the run of play.
The Blow for Newcastle
The red card leaves manager Eddie Howe in a tough spot.
Gordon will now miss three matches, and Alexander Isak remains on the sidelines amid his ongoing stand-off with the club.
Liverpool capitalized quickly after the break. Hugo Ekitike, once a Newcastle transfer target, doubled the Reds’ lead just 22 seconds after the restart.
Newcastle Fights Back
Bruno Guimaraes gave Newcastle hope by pulling one back before the hour mark, and William Osula seemed to have secured a late equalizer, thrilling the home crowd.
But Liverpool’s young talent Rio Ngumoha had the final say, scoring in the 100th minute to clinch a dramatic 3-2 victory for the visitors.
What’s Next for the Magpies
With Gordon suspended and Isak still absent, Newcastle will need to rethink their attacking options for the coming fixtures.
The Magpies’ fans will be hoping that lessons are learned from a night that showcased both individual error and team resilience in equal measure.
