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Eddie Howe insisted that Anthony Gordon was unfortunate to get sent off against Liverpool in a dramatic game between the Reds and Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Gordon was shown a yellow card for his tackle on Virgil van Dijk initially before referee Simon Hooper was sent to the pitch-side VAR screen. Upon review, it was deemed to be a tackle that endangered an opponent and was therefore worthy of a red.
"I've only seen it once back and it was very quick as the game was going on," Howe told the BBC. "I think Anthony was going in full blooded into the challenge.
"He's tried to pull out and slipped, and his momentum has taken him in. It didn't look good, but I don't think there was any intent."
Liverpool was two goals up through Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike but Bruno Guimaraes and Will Osule dragged 10-man Newcastle back into the contest.
It was then over to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha to score his first Premier League goal in the 100th minute of the game when Dominik Szoboszlai let the ball roll to the unmarked winger at the far post.
Despite the late winner from Ngumoha, Howe was pleased with how his players battled back. And he was delighted to see substitute Osula get on the scoresheet too.
"It was a great finish from him and a big moment for us," Howe continued. "At that moment, you think, could we go on and win the game?
"We put a lot of set plays into their box, and we asked a lot of questions of them defensively, but you always feel in that moment, especially with 11 minutes of injury time, there's always going to be chances for both teams.
"Unfortunately, they took two of theirs in that second half. It's a great finish from their perspective. We'd be disappointed with how we conceded that, even though we had a man less."
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In addition to being without Gordon for three games because of his straight red card, Newcastle also picked up a couple of injury concerns to Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.
"I don't know with Joe and Sandro," Howe said. "It doesn't look good when a player comes off, especially because both looked in a little bit of pain.
"That would be a huge blow for us if they're not available. Anthony will be suspended and Fabian [Schar] had concussion, so not good."
Newcastle has a trip to Leeds United to come next weekend. Liverpool, meanwhile, will host Arsenal at Anfield.
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