Newcastle United moved closer to the Champions League last 16 with a resounding 6-1 victory over Qarabag on Wednesday, as Anthony Gordon delivered a sensational four-goal performance. Gordon’s 10-goal tally this season surpasses Alan Shearer’s previous Newcastle record of seven Champions League goals.
Gordon Strikes Early
Gordon opened the scoring in the third minute, finishing low to the goalkeeper’s right after Dan Burn surged forward and threaded a precise pass through the defence. Six minutes later, Kieran Trippier’s lofted cross from a short corner found Malick Thiaw, who rose highest to head Newcastle into a 2-0 lead.
First-Half Dominance
Gordon then took control of the contest. He converted a penalty in the 32nd minute after VAR spotted a handball by Matheus Silva. Just a minute later, he raced clear following a defensive error to score again. He completed his first-half haul with a second penalty in stoppage time after being brought down by the goalkeeper, taking his season Champions League tally to 10 goals.
Comfortable Second Half
With the match effectively secured, manager Eddie Howe made several changes after the break. Qarabag pulled one back in the 56th minute when Elvin Jafarguliyev’s close-range finish was awarded following a VAR review for offside. Any hopes of a comeback were ended in the 72nd minute, as substitute Jacob Murphy’s deflected strike restored Newcastle’s five-goal cushion. The victory marked Newcastle’s third successive away win, following victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
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