Newcastle United player ratings v Qarabagplaceholder image
Newcastle United player ratings v Qarabag | AFP via Getty Images
Qarabag v Newcastle United: Newcastle United player ratings - here’s how Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Kieran Trippier & co fared.
Newcastle United’s first ever game in the knockout stages of the Champions League saw them head to Azerbaijan to take on Qarabag in Baku, with a rampant first-half display helping them on their way to a 6-1 victory.
That front three made an immediate impact as Gordon netted his seventh Champions League goal of the season within two minutes. Dan Burn played an instrumental role in that goal, stepping up from the back to supply Gordon with a through ball for the winger to tuck home.
Harvey Barnes then went close before Malick Thiaw netted his first European goal for the Magpies as he planted home a header from a deep Kieran Trippier cross to double Newcastle United’s lead inside ten minutes. Those two goals were the perfect start for Howe’s side as they burst out of the blocks in Baku.
The chances continued to roll in for Newcastle United with both Barnes and Gordon slightly guilty of missing some good openings - although Mateusz Kochalski in the Qarabag goal should get some credit for making some good saves. They weren’t made to pay too much for those missed opportunities, though, when they were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute for a handball in the box.
It looked harsh, but Newcastle United won’t mind that when you consider some of the handball decisions that have gone against them in this campaign and previous Champions League outings. Gordon’s powerful effort from the spot nudged his side even further ahead.
Seconds later and Gordon had completed his hat-trick as he seized on an error from the Qarabag defence to put his side four goals to the good.
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Howe’s side continued to attack and were rewarded further for their endeavours as Gordon slotted home a second spot-kick. The former Everton man won the penalty after being fouled by Kochalski in the box.
The hosts, to their credit, did rally in the second half and pulled a goal back ten minutes into the second period as Abdellah Zoubir slammed home past Nick Pope. Qarabag continued to push their visitors but were delivered another hammer blow when Jacob Murphy, who had entered the pitch just four minutes earlier, saw a curling effort deflect off a Qarabag defender and past a stranded Kochalski.
They could have had a seventh but Kochalski, easily Qarabag’s best player on the night, was on top form to deny both Dan Burn and Will Osula late on. Here are our player ratings from Newcastle United’s Champions League clash with Qarabag:
Newcastle United player ratings v Qarabag
Nick Pope - 5
An absolute bystander in the opening stages. Beaten too easily when Qarabag pulled a goal back ten minutes into the second half.
Kieran Trippier - 6
Put in a wonderful cross for Thiaw’s goal. Spent most of the first-half as a right winger on the outside of Elanga. Defensively suspect for a couple of Qarabag attacks during the second half.
Malick Thiaw - 8
Rose high above his marker to nod home Newcastle United’s second goal. A supreme header from a supreme player. Booked in the second half which means he will miss the second-leg.
Dan Burn - 7
Stepped out of defence with the ball superbly to assist Gordon’s opener. Didn’t have anything to do defensively in the early stages and missed a golden chance to add a fifth for his side before the break.
Lewis Hall - 7
Very good defensively and in attack. Not as influential in the second half but he didn’t need to be with the scoreline as it was.
Sandro Tonali - 8
Unfortunate to see a powerful drive blocked by Qarabag defenders early on after a well worked set-piece. Set the tone with a calm performance in the middle of the park.
Joe Willock - 6
Looked busy in attack. Had a solid if uninspiring night.
Anthony Elanga - 6
The quietest of Newcastle United’s starting attacking trio. Didn’t really get into the game in the first-half, but was threatening enough that the Qarabag defence still had to worry about him as the others ran wild. Quiet in the second half as well before being replaced after 68 minutes.
Nick Woltemade - 7
Had some nice touches in attack and was more than willing to do his fair share of defensive work as well when Qarabag attacked, typified by his interception for Gordon’s third goal.
Harvey Barnes - 7
Had a bright start to the game and saw three efforts saved by the Qarabag goalkeeper. Faded a little as the first-half wore on. Couldn’t really make an impact in the second half and will be disappointed to not get on the scoresheet.
Anthony Gordon - 9
Took his goal superbly as he burst past his marker before sliding the ball home. Should have had a second in the 14th minute but his one-v-one effort was saved well. Missed another chance before the half hour mark. Converted brilliantly from the spot before seizing on an error to add a third and complete his hat-trick inside 32 minutes. Added a fourth from the spot just before the break. A stellar first-half performance. Unplayable. Faded in the second as Newcastle United took their foot off the gas before being subbed off.
SUB: Will Osula - 6
Replaced Gordon in the 68th minute. Could have scored late on but was denied by a very good save from the Qarabag goalkeeper.
SUB: Jacob Ramsey - 7
Came on for Willock in the 68th minute. Looked lively and drove his team forward with the ball at a stage of the game that could have drifted away from them.
SUB: Jacob Murphy - 7
Replaced Elanga in the 68th minute. Fortunate with the deflection for his goal, but some good footwork in the build-up fashioned an opening. Shifted to right-back for the last 15 minutes of the game.
SUB: Joelinton - N/A
Came on for Trippier with less than 15 minutes to play.
Replaced Barnes in the dying stages to make his first ever Newcastle United appearance.
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