Gordon's Four-Goal Frenzy Fires Newcastle to Baku Bliss – Trippier Tiff Adds Spice!
Anthony Gordon scored four first-half goals as Newcastle United thrashed Qarabag 6-1 in the Champions League play-off first leg, breaking records and all but securing knockout progression. Eddie Howe praised the team's best display in ages, while a half-time spat between Gordon and Kieran Trippier over penalties was quickly laughed off. The Magpies now eye the second leg after a Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Gordon Goes Ballistic in Baku
Picture this: Newcastle United rocking up in Azerbaijan, facing Qarabag in the Champions League knockout play-off first leg, and turning it into a personal highlight reel for Anthony Gordon. The lad from Everton days smashed four goals in the first half alone, leaving the home crowd stunned and the Magpies cruising to a 6-1 demolition. As reported by Hayters TV on OneFootball, it was chaos from the off – Gordon netting after just three minutes, Malick Thiaw doubling up soon after, and then the fireworks really started.
Record-Breaker Extraordinaire
Gordon didn't mess about. He bagged a hat-trick in just 33 minutes – the fastest ever by an Englishman in the Champions League. Chuck in another penalty, and boom, 5-0 at half-time, matching Bayern Munich's record for the quickest five-goal half in competition history. The winger joined Harry Kane in an elite quadruple club, but shrugged it off post-match: "Records are nice, but I just want to win games. This was our best performance of the season."
Blimey, the Geordies were purring. Eddie Howe couldn't hide his grin, hailing Gordon's pressing game and off-ball work. "He started the press, a number of his goals came from his attitude," the boss said. Howe reckoned it was the best they'd played in ages, a proper team tribute after a first half masterclass.
Half-Time Hiccup and Trippier Tussle
Second half kicked off with a wobble – Qarabag pulled one back early doors to make it 5-1, prompting questions about complacency at 5-0 up. Howe brushed it off: "We wanted momentum, but they dropped deep and made it tough. Tie ain't over, but we're in dreamland."
Amid the goals, there was drama. Just before the break, Gordon and skipper Kieran Trippier had a right old row on the pitch. Turns out, emotions boiled over a penalty – everyone fancied it after Gordon's hat-trick, but he's the designated taker. Trippier explained to TNT Sports: "Gordy's on fire, but emotions run high. He's our pen man, end of. Unbelievable today."
Gordon chipped in, all mates again: "Yeah, I wanted it as an attacker, but Trippier's been massive for me. We're a team. Might need boxing gloves in training!" Classic banter – shows the passion bubbling under that clinical display.
Path to Glory and What's Next?
Newcastle missed the top eight in the league phase, landing this two-legged play-off against surprise package Qarabag. After this 6-1 thrashing, the second leg at St James' Park next week looks like a formality. Howe's lads have flipped their patchy form on its head, showing real character.
Gordon nailed it: "Football's fickle – one minute down, next up. We've got momentum, but it can swing quick." Before hosting Qarabag, they face a Premier League trek to Manchester City on Saturday. Tough ask, but on this form? Anything's possible.
What a night in Baku. Gordon's the hero, the team's firing, and even the on-pitch scraps add flavour. Newcastle dreaming big in Europe – who's stopping them now?
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