Roy Keane slams second Newcastle United player for FA Cup exit – ‘tries to be too clever’

Roy Keane and Ian Wright did not hold back in their criticism of Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento following the club’s heartbreaking FA Cup exit. While Livramento came under fire for his defensive lapse, Keane also pointed the finger at another Newcastle player, suggesting that goalkeeper Martin Dubravka played a role in the team’s downfall.

Newcastle’s journey in the FA Cup came to an end in the fifth round after a dramatic encounter with Brighton. The match saw Alexander Isak open the scoring before former Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh equalized.

Chaos ensued in the second half when both teams were reduced to ten men, setting the stage for extra time. Ultimately, Danny Welbeck delivered the decisive blow, securing Brighton’s place in the next round and leaving Newcastle to rue missed opportunities.

Wright, providing his post-match analysis on ITV, was particularly critical of Livramento’s defensive positioning. He dissected Welbeck’s winning goal and emphasized how the Newcastle defender’s lack of awareness cost his team at a crucial moment.

He pointed out that while Welbeck appeared to have overrun the ball, he managed to dig deep and make the most of the opportunity. Wright highlighted Livramento’s failure to maintain his defensive line, noting that he trailed too far behind Matt Targett.

He stressed that defending at the highest level requires constant focus and awareness, and in a game of such magnitude, lapses in concentration can prove fatal.

The former Arsenal striker did acknowledge the physical toll of extra time but dismissed it as an excuse, insisting that professional players must stay engaged until the final whistle.

He argued that Livramento needed to step up and adjust his positioning to make Welbeck’s run more difficult, rather than allowing him a clear path to goal. His frustration was evident as he described the lapse as unacceptable in a match of such significance.

Keane, never one to shy away from blunt analysis, echoed Wright’s sentiments and criticized Livramento’s failure to step up. He emphasized that the defender did not even attempt to correct his positioning, which ultimately left Newcastle exposed at a pivotal moment.

However, Keane did not stop at Livramento. He turned his attention to Dubravka, arguing that the goalkeeper’s decision-making played a role in the goal. He pointed out that the mistake occurred just seconds after Dubravka attempted to be too clever with his distribution instead of making a safer clearance.

In Keane’s view, the goalkeeper’s decision to take an unnecessary risk gave Brighton the chance to capitalize, and they did so ruthlessly.

With Newcastle’s FA Cup dreams shattered, the focus now shifts to their upcoming Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley. However, they will have to navigate the challenge without Anthony Gordon, who received a red card during the Brighton clash.

The suspension leaves Eddie Howe’s squad without one of their key attacking players, further complicating their task against a formidable opponent.

Keane weighed in on Gordon’s dismissal, acknowledging the winger’s frustration but emphasizing that he must accept the consequences of his actions.

He noted that the incident was likely the result of mounting pressure and emotions boiling over, describing it as a moment of madness. While Keane admitted to having his own share of reckless moments on the pitch during his career, he insisted that Gordon must take responsibility and learn from the experience.

The former Manchester United captain showed some empathy for the young winger, stating that he understood how emotions can take over in the heat of the moment.

However, he reiterated that Gordon now has to face the reality of his suspension, which will keep him out of a crucial final. He stressed that while the decision was foolish, it is now in the past, and Newcastle must find a way to adapt without him.

As Newcastle regroups and shifts focus to their upcoming challenges, the pressure remains on Eddie Howe to rally his squad and ensure they bounce back from their FA Cup disappointment.

While the criticism from Keane and Wright highlights areas where the team must improve, it also underscores the fine margins that define success and failure at the highest level.

Newcastle will need to sharpen their focus, tighten their defensive discipline, and approach their next challenge with a renewed sense of determination if they hope to bring home silverware.