Newcastle United's boss, Eddie Howe, believes that forward Anthony Gordon will learn from his past dismissals and avoid such situations in the future. The 24-year-old England international is set to play in the Premier League match against Arsenal on Sunday, after serving a three-match ban for a late challenge on Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk. The ban was a result of a red card Gordon received during a 3-2 defeat at St James' Park.
Gordon had previously been suspended for the Carabao Cup final after being sent off for an incident involving Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke. He apologized to both Van Dijk and his teammates following the Liverpool game.
When questioned about whether Gordon needs to better control his enthusiasm, Howe emphasized the importance of discipline and emotional control. He stated that the team prides itself on keeping 11 players on the pitch. Howe is confident that Gordon will learn from his previous red cards and adjust his reactions in similar situations going forward.
Howe stated that he doesn't have a problem with Gordon's discipline, and that the red card against Liverpool was a result of Gordon's desire to win the ball back. Howe added that with VAR in place, players need to be more careful.
Gordon's suspension came at an inopportune time for Howe, especially with Alexander Isak's departure, Nick Woltemade's adjustment to English football, and Yoane Wissa's injury. Despite these challenges, Gordon played well in the 2-1 Champions League defeat against Barcelona and was a key player in the 4-1 Carabao Cup win over Bradford.
Howe acknowledged the need to develop new relationships within the team, particularly with the addition of Woltemade, Wissa and Anthony Elanga. He noted that while some players form strong connections quickly, others require more time.
In March 2025, Howe considered appealing the red card Gordon received in the FA Cup defeat against Brighton. Gordon was dismissed for violent conduct after making contact with Jan Paul van Hecke's face, resulting in a three-match ban. Howe initially felt the decision was harsh and stated that Gordon didn't intend to cause harm. Howe said that they would analyze the incident and appeal if warranted.
