The journey to Baku turned into a landmark moment for Anthony Gordon. When he arrived on the pitch against Qarabag, eyes were on him. Just thirty minutes later, he emerged as Newcastle United’s record goalscorer in the Champions League, a historic achievement surpassing Alan Shearer’s impressive tally.
Gordon’s first-half performance was nothing short of sensational. He netted four goals, paving the way for a convincing 6-1 victory. This triumph places Newcastle firmly in contention for the round of 16 in this prestigious competition. Gordon’s remarkable feat included the fastest hat-trick by an English player in Champions League history, marking him as only the second player to score four in one half, alongside Luiz Adriano.
On another historical note, with this game marking his 15th appearance, Gordon became the record-holder for most appearances by a Magpie in the Champions League. He celebrated this milestone in style with goals seven through ten, surpassing Shearer’s brief stint in the tournament. With these goals, he stands second in the golden boot race this season, trailing Kylian Mbappé while distancing himself from Harry Kane. Another two goals would see him break Kane’s single-season scoring record for an English player in this competition.
It’s worth noting that two of his goals came from penalties, a testament to the shaky defense offered by Qarabag in the first half. Malick Thiaw also added a goal with little resistance. However, when chances arose in open play, Gordon showcased his sharpness. He opened the scoring just two minutes in, firing home a crisp shot after expertly receiving a through ball down the right half-space.
His hat-trick goal seconds subsequent to his first penalty reflected his explosive pace and composure. Circumventing goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski highlighted the impressive qualities that have caught the attention of clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool.
In the second half, while Qarabag seemed to improve, Gordon’s contributions were curtailed as Eddie Howe made substitutions just after the hour mark. Jacob Murphy added the sixth goal with a deflected shot from distance. With 2,500 miles ahead for the return trip, fresh legs will be crucial for their next fixture against Manchester City.
Gordon could benefit from translating this European performance to the Premier League, where he currently has three goals—two from penalties—alongside five Champions League goals. His domestic struggles can partly be attributed to a finishing dip; he has 4.01 non-penalty expected goals (npxG). However, his performance in continental games reveals a more effective player, averaging 0.41 npxG per 90 minutes against 0.27 npxG in the Premier League.
