Anthony Gordon is pushing to return for Newcastle United against Manchester City on Saturday.
The 24-year-old missed Newcastle United’s last game with a hip injury, while it also forced him to be substituted early against West Ham and Athletic Club.
Eddie Howe has said that Anthony Gordon is ‘touch and go’ for Saturday’s clash with Manchester City, but there is suddenly fresh hope that he could be fit enough to feature.
Prediction for Newcastle vs Man City?
It was reported on Wednesday that Gordon has trained with his Newcastle United teammates, as they prepare to take on Pep Guardiola’s side.
That is a boost for Howe, who must start the England international if he is deemed fit enough.
Anthony Gordon is forced off with an injury during Newcastle United vs Athletic Club.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Anthony Gordon’s record against the ‘big six’ means he has to start vs Manchester City
Newcastle United vs Manchester City is a big game, and Anthony Gordon is a big game player. While he has rightly been criticised for his performances in lesser fixtures, his record against the ‘big six’ is undeniable.
During the 2023/24 season, Gordon scored and assisted 28 goals in all competitions. It was the best campaign of his career to date, with 11 of those goal contributions coming against the ‘big six’. He proved he was the man for a grand occasion, establishing himself as arguably England’s best left winger.
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The 2024/25 season was much tougher for Gordon, but he was still able to have an impact against English football’s elite.
Anthony Gordon’s ridiculous work rate off the ball.
Out of the 16 goal contributions he got in all competitions, seven of them came against the ‘big six’ in league and cup.
When it comes to specifically playing against Manchester City in the Premier League at St James’ Park, it is a fixture that Gordon enjoys.
He scored a wonderful curling effort in a five-goal thriller in January 2024. Sadly, Newcastle United lost that game 3-2 courtesy of a stoppage time goal from Oscar Bobb.
Gordon also scored in this fixture last season, netting a penalty in a 1-1 draw. On that day, Gordon was tasked with playing up front, while he was also the star of Wor Flags’ pre-match display.
Anthony Gordon needs momentum ahead of Everton return
After Newcastle United face Manchester City, their next Premier League game is away to Everton. That is massively important, as Eddie Howe aims to fix the Magpies’ rotten away form in the league.
It is also a massively important game for Gordon, given the fact he came through the Everton academy. His Everton departure was certainly controversial, and he was heavily booed at Goodison Park last season.
Those boos turned to cheers when he missed a first-half penalty in a 0-0 draw.
The Everton faithful will once again take aim at Gordon next week, this time at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Gordon will be keen to silence the crowd, and he will be more likely to do that if he can build up some momentum with a strong showing against Manchester City on Saturday.