Roy Keane unleashes scathing rant on five Newcastle United players after Brighton defeat
Newcastle United’s FA Cup journey ended in disappointment after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton in extra time, with Roy Keane expressing frustration over the performances of five substitutes.
It was another underwhelming night at St. James’ Park, where Eddie Howe’s side struggled to find consistency. Despite taking the lead through an Alexander Isak penalty, they failed to maintain control as Yankuba Minteh equalized on his return to Tyneside.
The match, which had lacked energy and quality for much of the night, erupted in the final stages when Anthony Gordon received a red card for a shove on Jan Paul van Hecke. His dismissal not only put Newcastle at a disadvantage but also ruled him out of the Carabao Cup final.
The drama continued as Tariq Lamptey was also sent off, giving the Magpies a glimmer of hope. Fabian Schar then thought he had secured the victory with a well-taken volley, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
With momentum swinging back and forth, the game entered extra time, where Danny Welbeck delivered the decisive blow with a composed finish. The result sent Newcastle crashing out of the competition and raised serious concerns ahead of their upcoming final against Liverpool.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane didn’t hold back in his post-match analysis, directing sharp criticism toward Newcastle’s substitutes.
Despite Howe deploying a strong starting lineup, he made several changes to manage fatigue, introducing Joe Willock, Bruno Guimarães, Jacob Murphy, Callum Wilson, and Matt Targett.
However, Keane was unimpressed with their lack of impact, particularly in contrast to Welbeck, who came off the bench to secure the win for Brighton. Speaking on ITV, Keane emphasized the importance of squad depth and how substitutes need to step up in crucial moments.
He pointed out how Welbeck’s enthusiasm and experience proved decisive, while Newcastle’s substitutes appeared sluggish and uninspired. He noted that bringing energy off the bench is essential and that too many Newcastle players treated their appearances like a chore rather than an opportunity to change the game.
The night couldn’t have gone much worse for Newcastle, as Gordon’s suspension now leaves them without one of their most influential attacking players for three matches, including the Carabao Cup final.
Further compounding the team’s issues, Isak was forced off with an injury, adding to concerns just two weeks before the crucial clash at Wembley. Lewis Hall also missed the match due to an ankle issue, further weakening Howe’s options. If all three remain unavailable, Newcastle’s chances of lifting silverware take a significant hit.
Keane continued his critique by highlighting the team’s struggles since their quarter-final victory over Arsenal. He pointed out that their form had dipped, and with key players either suspended or injured, this period would serve as a true test of their character.
He questioned whether Newcastle had the squad depth and mentality to recover from this setback and respond positively. Ian Wright echoed similar concerns, acknowledging that while Newcastle’s first-choice lineup is formidable, their depth remains a major issue.
He emphasized that the squad will now face a crucial test as they prepare for their final against Liverpool.
With so much at stake, Howe now faces the challenge of reshuffling his squad to compensate for the absences of Gordon and potentially Isak. The pressure is mounting, and the team’s ability to bounce back from this disappointment will determine their prospects in the Carabao Cup.
While Newcastle’s journey in the FA Cup has ended in frustration, the real test lies ahead as they aim to overcome adversity and secure a long-awaited trophy.