Eddie Howe had his say on Newcastle United’s attacking options after dropping Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade for the second time in four matches.
Gordon started up front against Spurs, as he did in his previous Premier League outing against Liverpool 10 days prior.
Despite Gordon not being a natural striker, Newcastle head coach opted to play him in the role ahead of his £124million strike force of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
The summer transfer duo have struggled for form and goals in the Premier League of late. Neither player has scored a league goal so far in 2026 as Newcastle’s form has suffered.
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Is Anthony Gordon NUFC’s best striker option?
But Tuesday’s win at Spurs marked Newcastle’s first three points in the Premier League in over a month. And Howe’s decision to start Gordon up front for the all-important match tells its own story about Newcastle’s striker situation.
“I think it's a valid option for us,” Howe said on Gordon playing as a striker. “I think Anthony has done really well there this season, whenever he's played and actually the team's done well off the back of that.
“We haven't always scored the goals that a lot of our performances have deserved. They go back to the Liverpool game before he got sent off.
“It hasn't quite clicked in front of goal, but in some senses his mobility and his legs and his desire to press has made the team play better. So, that's why I went with it today and he's got a fluid look about it.
“He can drift wide, he can come lower, but he's got that pace that threatens the opponent's back line. So, I was delighted with his attitude in his work late today and I thought the team responded well to it.”
Howe’s decision was vindicated by the result for Newcastle and Gordon’s key role in it. And the Newcastle boss said he needed to play ‘quick and mobile players’ in attack against Spurs.
While merely an observation of his players’ strengths, it could also be seen as a subtle dig suggesting that Woltemade and Wissa aren’t the ‘quick and mobile players’ the team needs given their omissions from the side.
“We wanted to play with quite a fluid front line,” Howe said. “We wanted to play with pace on transitions. We wanted to press aggressively. To do that, you have to have quick and mobile players.
“So, all added to the mix, I think they all played well. They all showed their strengths with the legs. I think that's pivotal to playing away from home.
“We haven't always had that this season. I think we've looked a little bit off of our normal level, so today was definitely a twist in the right direction.”
What now for Newcastle United?
Newcastle opened the season with a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa with Gordon leading the line between Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga, the same front three that started at Spurs.
But the big money signings of Wissa and Woltemade since the opening day of the season have provided more options but also potentially more problems for Howe as he strives to find his most effective side.
The Magpies return to Villa Park on Saturday for an FA Cup fourth-round clash (5:45pm kick-off).
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