· 21 October 2025, 23:00
Anthony Gordon was arguably the best player on the pitch as Newcastle United beat Benfica 3-0 at St James' Park in the Champions League.
The England winger scooped up the official Player of the Match award for his efforts against the Portuguese side after he picked up a goal and an assist.
Harvey Barnes bagged a brace after coming off the bench to add to his Champions League goals tally.
Both players spoke to TNT Sports at full-time, and of course, the question was asked of Barnes if his run and Nick Pope's 65-yard throw were something they'd worked on beforehand.
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Nick Pope was outstanding for Newcastle tonight
Nick Pope and Harvey Barnes had not worked on that routine
Pope, who isn't known for his distribution by any means, thought quickly and launched the ball forward into the path of Harvey Barnes, who took it on and scored, but the winger says it was all improvised.
"No [I had not discussed the throw with Nick Pope,] the way it just sort of opened up, and you just take off don’t you.
"He has obviously played a great ball, you get a little bit of luck with the defender missing it but then in those positions, it is just natural instinct, you go in there and do what you do and finish it – it was a great assist by Popey."
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Anthony Gordon says Nick Pope is one of the most popular players in the dressing room
Anthony Gordon chimed in with his own thoughts on Nick Pope, saying that he'd made some 'incredible' saves to keep Newcastle in it.
"Amazing, we all love him [Pope], he is one of the most popular persons in the dressing room, he is a top guy, top keeper, he has kept us in so many games this season, so far and even some of the saves he made in the first half were incredible, so he deserves it."
It was a fantastic bit of improvisation from Pope, who had been giving fans heart palpitations all night with the ball at his feet. Popey got the last laugh.