Eddie Howe upset by Moises Caicedo's 'really poor tackle' on Anthony Gordon in Newcastle's EFL Cup defeat

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was unhappy with Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo for his challenge which forced Anthony Gordon to be substituted in his team's EFL Cup exit on Tuesday.

They lost on penalties against Chelsea in the EFL quarter-final at Stamford Bridge after the match had finished 1-1.

Newcastle forward Gordon was forced off in the second half following a high tackle from Moises Caicedo, who received a yellow card for the challenge.

Speaking about the incident in his post-match press conference, Howe said: “I thought it was a really poor tackle on him and the type of tackle you don’t want to see taking one of our attacking players out of the game.”

The Newcastle boss added that Gordon was “very sore” following the tackle while confirming defender Emil Krafth suffered a "nasty gash on his shin".

At one point last month, Howe was without 12 first-team players and, although some returned to action, he will be concerned about more injury absentees during the busy festive period.

It was also a difficult night for Kieran Trippier who continued his poor run of form during his second-half substitute appearance.

Newcastle took the lead in the first half through Callum Wilson and looked set to reach the EFL semi-finals but Tripper made an error which led to Mykhailo Mudryk grabbing Chelsea’s injury-time equaliser to take the tie to spot kicks.

The England international then put his penalty wide in the shootout before Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic later saved from Matt Ritchie to secure victory for the Blues.

Trippier has struggled during Newcastle's Premier League defeats at Everton and Tottenham earlier this month, but Howe said it time to support the player.

“As I’ve said, many times, he’s a transformative signing," he added. "Someone that’s taken the group onto a totally different level.

“He’s been the heartbeat of that so when he’s given us so much now’s our turn to support him and look after him the other way and that’s what we’ll do."

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