Anthony Gordon’s phrases proved somewhat prescient.
“Within the Champions League, groups are way more open,” he mentioned only a few weeks in the past. “All of them attempt to play.”
By no means was that extra obvious than on Wednesday night time.
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This was a brand new stage for either side, neither of whom had reached the knockout levels of the Champions League earlier than.
However the gulf in school was staggering.
Eddie Howe confirmed Qarabag large respect by naming a robust facet, however the Newcastle head coach additionally knew the hosts would depart gaps.
Gordon, particularly, exploited them as he led the road.
The ahead was so hungry that, even after scoring his hat-trick, he grabbed the ball as designated penalty-taker to take the spot-kick for his fourth somewhat than giving it to Nick Woltemade.
Kieran Trippier, the stand-in captain, nonetheless seemed to be slightly aggravated about that because the pair exchanged phrases after trudging off the sphere at half-time.
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But it surely summed up Gordon’s ruthless streak.
In fact, Gordon and his team-mates might have scored much more on an evening Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski nonetheless, by some means, emerged with credit score after making some wonderful saves.
Newcastle had 22 photographs, 14 efforts on track and 39 touches contained in the opposition field, however the guests in the end needed to accept simply the six objectives.
With the tie pretty much as good as over, Howe will now have the posh of having the ability to rotate for the second leg at St James’ Park subsequent week – although you think Gordon will nonetheless be determined so as to add to the ten objectives he has scored within the competitors this season.
Take heed to Gordon’s response under or