ST JAMES’ PARK – Having acknowledged that they got too drawn into the emotion the last time they made Wembley for the Carabao Cup final, Newcastle United’s plan was to keep things low-key leading up to their date with Liverpool. So much for that.
What we learned from Newcastle's latest stadium debrief
Read MoreHow else to explain the confounding, kamikaze nature of this defeat and the inexplicable moment Anthony Gordon saw red after seeing red?
Gordon’s reaction – raising his hands to Van Hecke to clearly push the back of his head – was a moment of madness that might come to define his season.
Almost as soon as van Hecke hit the deck, silence descended on the stadium.
No-one inside St James’ Park needed to be reminded that the automatic three-match ban means he now misses the final.
Anthony Gordon has been sent off! #ITVFootball | #NEWBHA pic.twitter.com/uJ4WJTIwDE
Howe hated the way his team lost control in that second half so you can imagine what he was going through seeing his side dicing with death for long periods against a bright Brighton side who inevitably eventually accepted one of the invitations to win it that Newcastle gave them.
They preyed on Newcastle nerves, disrupting the home side’s gameplan while also laying the foundations for the win with some magnificent counter-attacking football.
When will the real Newcastle United stand up?
Read MoreIt had started fairly brightly for the home side, who edged in front when Alexander Isak – back in the starting XI – swept home a penalty after Yankuba Minteh’s clumsy foul on Tino Livramento.
But it was a brittle dominance and Newcastle since the turn of the year have made a habit of losing their way.
What followed was chaos. Gordon’s dismissal was followed by a second yellow card for Tariq Lamptey and then a 93rd-minute Fabian Schar volley that was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check.
By then Hurzeler had sent on Danny Welbeck, the veteran striker who has a fine record of breaking black and white hearts.
That he did it again – deep into the second half of extra time, just as Newcastle were building a head of steam – was a testament to his durability and quality.
Player of the match: Danny Welbeck
Only on for half an hour but changed the game. Evergreen.Hurzeler felt it was a reward for his players doing the “basics” right, working hard even when making mistakes.
“Stuttering is a good way to put it,” the Magpies boss said afterwards when asked about recent form.
It feels like the season is teetering on the brink.
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