Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on March 22, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)placeholder image
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on March 22, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Anthony Gordon was absent from Newcastle United’s 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe has put an end to the conspiracy surrounding Anthony Gordon’s absence against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
Gordon missed the 2-1 defeat at St James’ Park as Newcastle United suffered to a third straight Premier League defeat to leave them 14th in the Premier League table.
The England international was ruled out with a minor hip injury, though some were left questioning whether there was more to the story following comments from Howe in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Eddie Howe ‘kills’ Anthony Gordon conspiracy
Howe was asked about the transfer speculation surrounding Gordon, in which he said he wouldn’t play players who are not 100% committed to the club.
When asked if he could ‘kill any questions on how committed’ Gordon is, Howe replied: “Absolutely. Today was an injury. He went for a scan on, again, I think it was Thursday morning, and it was clear he had an injury that would take him out of the game.”
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On whether the 24-year-old would return for next weekend’s trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal, Howe said: “We're unclear. I don't think it's a long-term injury, whether he makes it next week, I don't know. We'll have to see how he goes this week in training.”
Fresh injury blow for Newcastle United
Newcastle were dealt another injury blow during the game when Tino Livramento, who has not long returned from two months out with a hamstring injury, limped off.
Livramento started the game at right-back before moving to left-back after Lewis Hall was hooked for Kieran Trippier at half-time. He withdrew in the 74th minute and was replaced by Dan Burn.
Howe said: “Yeah, for Tino, that's a huge blow for him, but for us, I actually thought he, in part, with Kieran's introduction at the beginning of the second half, made it stronger, and then losing him was a big blow.”
Marcus Tavernier gave the Cherries a first-half lead on Tyneside before Will Osula equalised in the 68th minute. However, Adrien Truffert won it in the 85th minute.
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