Chelsea 1–1. Newcastle United: Eddie Howe has provided an explanation for the early departures of Sven Botman, Emil Krafth, and Anthony Gordon during the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge.
After losing to Chelsea in a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday night, Newcastle United has two new fitness concerns.
Sven Botman, a defender, made his starting lineup comeback for the first time in nearly three months during the game. However, the 23-year-old and Emil Krafth were substituted off at the half.
At the half, United head coach Eddie Howe explained the substitution, which saw Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier take their places.
Howe said, “Sven was planned,” following the game. He had 45 minutes allotted to him. He performed really well, in my opinion, and was a great asset.”
“Emil was too sore to continue, has a real gash on his shin which is quite sore at the moment.”
Levi Colwill put Krafth through a challenge in the first half, and Moises Caicedo’s cynical challenge also caused damage to Anthony Gordon. Howe was not amused by the challenge the Chelsea midfielder delivered when he drove his studs into the Newcastle winger’s calf.
Matt Ritchie replaced Gordon when he was substituted early in the second half.
“Krafth and Anthony are the same,” Howe continued. “I felt that was an extremely bad tackle on him. He’s currently extremely sore because it’s the kind of tackle you don’t want to see, as it takes our attacking players out of the game.”
Newcastle’s next match is a Premier League trip to Kenilworth Road, where they will take on Luton Town on Saturday at 3 p.m. The Magpies are hoping to win just their second away league game of the year.
