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Newcastle United latest news: Eddie Howe has spoken about Anthony Gordon’s sensational performance against Qarabag in the Champions League.
The Magpies played a competitive match in Azerbaijan for the first time ever on Wednesday night, with their clash against Qarabag also their first ever appearance in the Champions League knockout stages. What could have been a nervy night on the road turned into the perfect night for the Magpies as they slammed six past their opponents to record the most comfortable of wins.
The Magpies were ahead inside three minutes when Gordon was fed a lovely through ball by Dan Burn before tucking home into the Qarabag net. That lead was doubled just minutes later as Malick Thiaw leapt the highest to plant home a header from a teasing Kieran Trippier delivery.
Gordon, though, would soon take centre stage as he converted two penalties sandwiching a solo effort to put his side five goals to the good at the break. Gordon, in the process, overtook Alan Shearer as Newcastle United’s top Champions League goalscorer as he ended the night with ten goals in European competition this season - five of those coming from the penalty spot.
Gordon was once again picked to lead the line by Howe and repaid his head coach’s faith with a stunning first-half performance. Speaking about Gordon to TNT Sports post-match, Howe said: “Yeah, he was really, really good in that first half. I mean, I think he started the press.
“A number of his goals came from his attitude off the ball. I'm really pleased with his first goal as well because that was a key moment.
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“It was a really good finish. He could have had more, but a very good display.”
Eddie Howe praises Nick Woltemade after Qarabag victory
Gordon was once again entrusted to lead the Newcastle United front line in Baku with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga on either side of him. Yoane Wissa missed out through injury whilst Nick Woltemade, as he did at Villa Park on Saturday evening, playing in a deeper midfield role.
The German international once again impressed in that role and caught the eye of his manager: “I thought Nick was really good today,” Howe added.
“Again, I thought off the ball excellent tactically, really understood what was asked of him. But very reliable in possession. I don't think he gave the ball away.
“I thought he was very good in some awkward situations. He also got that creative flair that we need in that position on the pitch, so he can be really pleased with his day.”
Having seen his side his six in total, with Jacob Murphy’s deflected strike restoring their five-goal cushion just moments after coming onto the pitch in place of Anthony Elanga, Howe handed a competitive debut to Sean Neave late on. Neave has been a fixture on Newcastle United’s substitutes bench in recent seasons and even earned a Carabao Cup winners medal for being named by Howe at Wembley in March but had, until Wednesday night, never played a competitive minute for the Magpies.
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