Newcastle United

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With Lewis Hall's foot injury ruling him out for the remainder of the season, Newcastle United all of a sudden look light at left-back.

After bringing in Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth last summer, the Magpies sold him in January and with no other natural option available for Eddie Howe, the manager needs to find a solution, particularly with the Carabao Cup final looming.

Tino Livramento played there in the absence of Hall in Sunday's 2-1 FA Cup loss at home to Brighton and has deputised there in the past, despite primarily featuring as Howe's first-choice right-back this season.

That would mean Kieran Trippier returns on the right flank.

Dan Burn is another option having played regularly at left-back during the season where Newcastle qualified for the Champions League and the following campaign.

However, Sven Botman's ongoing recovery from an injury means Burn will likely still be required in the heart of defence.

If Burn was to go to left-back, Emil Krafth could come in and partner Fabian Schar at centre-back.

Also, is there an opportunity for Matt Targett? The 29 year old has played just 11 minutes of Premier League football this season but is at least a specialist left-back and came on in the FA Cup.

Alternatively, Trippier has played at left-back for England and Howe has even deployed Joelinton as a left wing-back at times too.

Hall's development has been one of the greatest takeaways from the 2024-25 season so far for Newcastle - and England - so the injury is a blow.

Howe has shown ingenuity in the past to deal without his best players and, with an important run-in, he must do so again.

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Lewis Hall is set to miss the rest of the season after having surgery on a foot injury.

We asked you on Tuesday about your mood but probably need to override that after this news

How big of a blow is his injury?

And who will fill in for him at full-back?

Tell us here

Newcastle could face competition from West Ham for the signature of Strasbourg's 22-year-old Dutch forward Emanuel Emegha. (GiveMeSport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

The latest episode of the Total Sport Newcastle United Podcast from BBC Radio Newcastle assesses the club's 2023-24 accounts, which were released on Tuesday.

The Magpies announced a loss of £11.1m, with their participation in last season's Champions League contributing to improved figures compared with the previous campaign.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

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I did not want to write my piece this week. On Sunday, Newcastle United continued their tradition of having a key player sent off a few weeks before a cup final. Great news if you like tradition! Terrible news if you like Newcastle United.

Not only did we lose a crucial cog in the NUFC machine, but we lost the game too, crashing out of the FA Cup in extra time thanks to a fumbling defence giving the ball as a little treat to Danny Welbeck in extra time.

I was asked pre-game about the FA Cup fixture, and how excited I was for it, and I found it hard to even concentrate on answering the question without referencing the Carabao Cup final on the horizon.

In one game, both cup chances withered away.

That is not to say we cannot go to Wembley and give Liverpool a game, but it is to say it will be harder than before because we will not have Anthony Gordon.

I do understand the frustration - Gordon's shirt is being pulled and it is a split-second irritation, but putting his hands on Jan Paul van Hecke's face and neck and pushing him down is a clear red card. The idea that Newcastle United will successfully appeal against the sending off is a fantastical one.

So it is now even harder to concentrate on our big trip to Wembley when we cannot use Gordon, and have other slight injury worries in the squad - ones that were compounded this weekend.

We had Alexander Isak back after a groin injury and he went off with some tightness in his thigh. Kieran Trippier also went off, feeling his back.

We really need all the resources we can get right now - and let's be honest, that is a pretty weak position to be in going into a cup final against the 2024-25 titans.

How are you feeling? Like Charlotte's, has your positivity been affected by what happened on Sunday - or are you going to go to Wembley and beat Liverpool? Get in touch here

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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In a round of FA Cup red cards, Antony Gordon's may well be the most significant.

Newcastle lost at home after he departed and he is likely to miss three games for violent conduct, although this was another 'punch' with all the raw power of kitten playing with a ball of wool.

His absence could ultimately have an effect on whether or not Newcastle make it to the Champions League qualifying positions. it really is that tight at the top end of the Premier League.

He has also ruled himself out of the Carabao Cup final, barring an unlikely reprieve on appeal.

This final is an opportunity to do what the Magpies have been dreaming of for generations, and that moment of madness has materially damaged their chances. Of all four red cards this weekend in the FA Cup, surely this could be the costliest?

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Former Newcastle defender John Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle how Harvey Barnes' "inconsistency is infuriating" as "he is a really good finisher if he gets the chances".

He goes on to say how the winger "isn't as busy as [Anthony] Gordon as he doesn't chase".

Anderson added: "He has all the ability in the world, he most definitely has. His delivery is good, he scores goals. It was an opportunity for him against Brighton but he drifted out of the game.

"I don't know what the answer is. He wants to play left side but I think Gordon is always going to be the number one on that left side."

A version of this article was previously published on 4 March 2025.

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Newcastle defender Dan Burn is confident the Magpies can still reach their goals this season if they "click" again like they did over the festive period.

Sunday's FA Cup defeat by Brighton was their third loss in their last five games at St James' Park, a stark contrast to the nine successive victories around the turn of the year.

"As inconsistent as we've been this season, we're still in a good position for what we want to achieve," said Burn. "We're in the European places and, although the league is so tight, we just need to put another run together like the one we had over Christmas to cement that position.

"Then we've obviously got the final just around the corner too, which is a massive opportunity.

"We know that if we can just get that inconsistency together and click, we can be a really good team."

Fans had hoped the FA Cup would provide a further route to Wembley this season, given the absence of many of the 'bigger' Premier League teams by the fifth round.

"The fact we're seeing it as a big missed opportunity just shows where the club is at," added Burn. "The gaffer has brought that in.

"I can't comment too much on what went on before the gaffer came in with the different ownership, but I definitely feel as though there's a real emphasis on the cups now and a real belief that we can get to the latter stages of whatever competition we're in.

"We want to get to the finals and when you get to within a game of the quarter-finals and then go out in extra time, it definitely feels like you've missed a chance to potentially do something special."

From Anthony Gordon's dismissal against Brighton to the Magpies' chances of silverware in the Carabao Cup final or European ambitions, there is plenty to talk about at St James' Park.

So, we are opening the floor for you to put your Magpies questions to BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck.

Submit your questions here

Come back later this week to see his answers.

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Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes has told fans to "blame me" after the side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton, and issued a rallying cry to fans before the Carabao Cup final later this month.

The Magpies took the lead on 22 minutes through an Alexander Isak penalty before Yankuba Minteh equalised for the visitors on the stroke of half-time.

Substitute Danny Welbeck then struck in extra time to send Brighton through to the quarter-finals.

In a post on X, Guimaraes wrote: "Disappointed not to progress in the FA Cup, as it was clearly one of our goals. Moments like this are when we need to stick together the most.

"I know that when eliminations like this happen, it's hard to accept, and we always look for someone to blame. If you need to find one, you can blame me."

Up next for Newcastle is a trip to West Ham in the Premier League next Monday, before the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley on 16 March.

"We have two weeks before one of the most important games for the club in recent years, and we must be ready for this great opportunity," added Guimaraes.

"My only request is that, in this moment, we stay united as one and go after the best for the club because we still have great things ahead."

Knocked out of the FA Cup and now a Carabao Cup final without Anthony Gordon, so how are the optimism levels?

BBC Radio Newcastle spoke to fans outside St James' Park about the defeat by Brighton and how they are feeling as the showpiece against Liverpool at Wembley approaches.

We asked for your views on the FA Cup fifth-round tie between Newcastle and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

David: Never a red card. The defender had a hold of Anthony Gordon's shirt and he merely over-exuberantly shoved him off - pathetic refereeing. The same referee had let off a definite second yellow card for Carlos Baleba just 15 minutes before. Newcastle deserved to progress, despite not being at their best. Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak were a class above. Brighton were very fortunate but hung in there and rode their luck.

Rich: The wheels came flying off the bus. We were unlucky with two offside goals but ultimately we lacked accuracy of passing, imagination and skill in nearly every position. A two-week transformation is required if we are to stand any chance in the Carabao Cup final.

Simon: Another home defeat. It is becoming a frustration that every season seems to go in the same way. I don't know what I watched but it was amateurish and a calamity. Joelinton was just infuriating and he needs to rein his petulance in a little. Playing Isak was a mistake and I hope he wasn't injured. Gordon is out of the Carabao Cup final, which we will most certainly lose if we turn up defeated before kick-off. Eddie Howe has got a miracle to perform.

Chris: Some of our players aren't good enough for the Championship, never mind the Premier League. Do their brains switch off when the game starts? Do they listen to the manager? It looks like me and my son will never see Newcastle United win anything.

Brighton fans

Brian: What a fantastic end-to-end game, settled by a brilliant finish from Danny Welbeck. Brighton to win the FA Cup? Why not.

Ben: We played very well in attack and decently in defence. There were some silly fouls coming in, which shouldn't have done, but it was still a very good performance. Nice to see Solly March back on the pitch and getting the assist. What a player Danny is to get the final goal - what a legend.

Sergio: Welbeck was amazing but March also deserves credit for finding that deadly pass and putting in a shift defensively. They were both substitutes too! Fabian Hurzeler made some great calls in this game.

Ian: A good performance from both teams, only spoilt by an over-officious referee. Brighton had the edge throughout and deserved the win. A great goal from Welbeck for the winner.

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Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson says "poor decision-making" cost Eddie Howe's side as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Premier League rivals Brighton.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Anderson said: "It wasn't a good performance. It was really patchy and they couldn't keep the ball.

"Brighton came with a possession-based game that was slow and methodical. We just couldn't get into it. We couldn't get a goal and we didn't work their goalkeeper enough.

"It is bitterly disappointing because we came here with expectations.

"We have said it in many games recently that our decision-making has been poor. We get into good areas but we need to put our heads up and pick somebody out. That final ball was really disappointing yet again, even when we were in really good areas.

Anderson also raised his concerns about the Magpies heading into the Carabao Cup final without Anthony Gordon, who picked up a straight red card for a foul on Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

"It is bitterly disappointing," he said. "He is one of our big players, one of the influential players, one that can make things happen. Not having him there is going to be a big, big blow.

"They have got to appeal the red card. I don't see them winning it. It seemed pretty straightforward to me."

Listen to the full post-match reaction on BBC Sounds

Newcastle will accept a bid of £10-15m for goalkeeper Nick Pope and are interested in bringing in James Trafford, 22, from Burnley. (Football Insider), external

The Magpies will compete with Everton and Nottingham Forest to sign Brazilian winger Luis Henrique, 23, from Marseille this summer. (Football Insider), external

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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after his side were knocked out of the FA Cup: "A difficult day for us. There was so much promise, we scored early, looked good, lost control and then thought we had won it. There was so much effort in extra time, but we weren't good enough to win.

"I'm hugely disappointed for [Anthony] Gordon. He is a huge player and instrumental for us. We will review it, see what we make of it and make the next steps. I haven't spoken to him individually.

"[Alexander] Isak had some tightness in his body, but not an injury. The longer it went on, the greater the risk so he was taken off before any problems.

"We need the week to dust ourselves down and regroup, as we have been tested. We had a small squad, we couldn't get Sven [Botman] fit and we can't afford to lose anyone else.

"It's an opportunity missed, I felt that. It's tough and hugely disappointing but there is nothing we can do."

Newcastle fans, what did you make of the performance? Let us know here

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Newcastle have won just two of their last 16 meetings with Brighton in all competitions (D7 L7). The Magpies have also been eliminated from each of their last five FA Cup ties against the Seagulls.

Brighton have beaten Newcastle twice at St. James' Park this season, after winning 1-0 in Premier League. They are just the fourth team to win twice away to the Magpies in the same campaign in the Premier League era, after Manchester City in 2013-14, Hull City in 2008-09 and Liverpool in 1997-98.

Anthony Gordon is the first Newcastle United player to receive a red card in the FA Cup since Shola Ameobi in the 2012-13 third round, which also came against Brighton.

This was the first FA Cup tie between two Premier League clubs that has seen both teams have a man sent off since Everton v Chelsea in the 2015-16 quarter-finals (Gareth Barry and Diego Costa).

Were you at St. James' Park or following the game from elsewhere?

Newcastle fans - let us know your thoughts here

Brighton fans - tell us what you made of the display here

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies