Gordon’s Four Goal Masterclass Powers Newcastle Past Qarabag | OneFootball

Newcastle Seize Control with Statement Night in Qarabag

Newcastle travelled to Azerbaijan carrying ambition and left with authority. On an evening that may come to symbolise their growing comfort on Europe’s grandest stage, they dismantled Qarabag with a performance of precision, speed and conviction, securing a commanding first leg advantage in this Champions League play off tie.

Eddie Howe had framed the occasion beforehand as one that could live long in memory, urging his players to “turn these moments into history and moments people talk about for a long time”. By full time inside the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium, that vision felt realised.

Gordon Leads Relentless Charge

If Newcastle required a figurehead for their surge, Anthony Gordon provided it emphatically. His four goal haul combined opportunism with composure, and etched his name into club history as he surpassed Alan Shearer as Newcastle’s all time top scorer in the Champions League.

The opener arrived after only two minutes. Gordon raced on to Dan Burn’s through ball and finished low beyond Mateusz Kochalski. From there, Newcastle’s attacking rhythm rarely faltered.

Kieran Trippier’s curling delivery soon found Malick Thiaw, whose header doubled the lead. Qarabag, a side that had previously drawn 2-2 with Chelsea and beaten Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt and Copenhagen, suddenly looked overwhelmed by the tempo placed upon them.

Penalty Precision and Clinical Edge

Newcastle’s third came from the penalty spot after Harvey Barnes’ effort struck Matheus Silva’s arm. Following a VAR review, referee Espen Eskas awarded the kick, and Gordon converted despite Kochalski getting a hand to the ball.

What followed spoke to Newcastle’s ruthlessness. Gordon capitalised on Kevin Medina’s loose play immediately after the restart, rounding the goalkeeper to make it 4-0. Before half time, he added a fourth penalty after being brought down by Kochalski.

Hosts Respond but Gap Remains

To their credit, Qarabag regrouped after the interval. Elvin Cafarquliyev pulled one back from a tight angle, offering the home support brief encouragement.

Any hope of momentum, though, was short lived. Substitute Jacob Murphy struck from distance, his deflected effort restoring Newcastle’s five goal cushion and reinforcing the scale of the visitors’ superiority.

Control Ahead of St James’ Park Return

Statistics underlined the imbalance. Newcastle registered 22 shots, 14 on target, and 39 touches inside the opposition box. Kochalski, despite conceding heavily, produced several saves that prevented an even wider margin.

With the tie now leaning decisively towards Tyneside ahead of the return leg at St James’ Park, Howe can consider rotation. Yet Gordon’s form suggests he will remain central, particularly as he eyes adding to his ten goals in this season’s competition.

For Newcastle, this was more than a win. It was a declaration that their European journey carries weight, purpose and increasing belief.