Anthony Gordon suffers ‘nasty looking’ injury as Newcastle beaten by Chelsea
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon endured a harrowing injury during his team’s clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The incident occurred just two minutes into the match when Gordon was brutally tackled by Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo. Although Caicedo managed to escape a red card for his studs-up challenge on the back of Gordon’s leg, the severity of the injury left many questioning the referee’s decision. Gordon continued playing but was eventually substituted in the second half, unable to continue due to the impact of the injury.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe confirmed that Gordon did sustain an injury, and while he himself did not make a definitive judgment on the tackle, he acknowledged that others believed Caicedo should have been sent off. Howe stated, Anthony Gordon took a really nasty looking knock. I haven’t seen it myself, but people are telling me that they think it’s a red card.
In addition to Gordon’s injury, Newcastle defender Emil Krafth also encountered a problem during the match. Sven Botman, however, did not suffer any new injuries, as his playing time was strategically limited to just the first half. Addressing the issue, Howe mentioned, Botman was planned, 45 minutes was a nice step for him. Krafth took a knock.
The incident sparked controversy, with former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given expressing his disbelief at the lack of consequences for Caicedo. Given argued that the Chelsea midfielder was fortunate to avoid a red card, suggesting that the absence of VAR likely contributed to the leniency shown. Given said, Two minutes in is maybe the only thing that’s saved him. 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.
The severity of Anthony Gordon’s injury and the contentious nature of Caicedo’s challenge have fueled the debate over player safety and the need for strict enforcement of the rules. As Newcastle assess Gordon’s condition and plan for their upcoming games, the incident serves as a reminder of the physical demands and risks that players face on the field.
