By Martin Graham
Anthony Gordon already had a hat trick to his name, yet he was not satisfied.
After earning a penalty in the first leg of Newcastle United’s Champions League last-16 play-off against Qarabag at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium, Gordon refused to hand over the ball. Kieran Trippier had suggested Nick Woltemade might take it, but the forward was determined to add to his tally.
The moment echoed the ruthless streak once shown by Alan Shearer, who famously insisted on taking a spot-kick after scoring four against Sheffield Wednesday in 1999. It felt fitting, then, that Gordon surpassed Shearer as Newcastle’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League, reaching 10 goals during a stunning 6-1 triumph.
“We should be in it together,” Gordon told TNT Sports. “But I’m an attacker. I’m the penalty taker, so I want to score as many goals as I possibly can.”
High line punished as Gordon exploits space
Qarabag, who had previously drawn with Chelsea and beaten Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Copenhagen, was caught out by Gordon’s advanced positioning. Deployed further forward than Woltemade, his pace repeatedly exposed the hosts.
Thomas Hitzlsperger questioned Qarabag’s approach, noting their insistence on holding a high defensive line in the opening half. By the time they adjusted after the break and retreated deeper, the damage was beyond repair.
Gordon had shown his effectiveness in a central role away from home in recent outings, scoring at Anfield and assisting Jacob Ramsey’s winner against Spurs. His movement and speed through the middle offered something different, and the Azerbaijan Premier League champions struggled to contain him.
Eddie Howe praised not only the four goals but also the forward’s overall contribution. He highlighted Gordon’s display at Liverpool and pointed to his relentless pressing in Baku, describing it as the foundation for Newcastle’s dominance.
Fast start, landmark feat and renewed momentum
The opener arrived after just two minutes. Gordon beat the offside trap to meet Dan Burn’s pass and calmly slotted home. A penalty made it 3-0, and moments later he capitalised on hesitation from Kevin Medina, rounding Mateusz Kochalski to complete his treble.
He later converted another powerful spot-kick before the interval, becoming the only English player to score three or more times in a Champions League knockout match. Despite missing a couple of chances from open play, he ensured a memorable evening with four goals.
Gordon appeared disappointed to be substituted midway through the second half, though Pat Nevin noted he accepted the decision, aware of the need to avoid injury and conserve energy with significant fixtures ahead.
Newcastle supporters who had travelled 2,500 miles — the longest journey undertaken by an English fan base in the Champions League — celebrated long into the closing stages. Just days earlier, Howe had admitted he was not doing his job well enough after a home defeat to Brentford was met with boos. Since then, his side has responded with away victories over Qarabag, Aston Villa, and Spurs.
“Football is a highly emotional place,” Gordon said. “People get so down and so up on you depending on your form. To go through what we went through to get to the position we’re in now is really important and shows the character we have. Football does change fast, so we have to keep it going.”
