Gordon nets four-goal haul as Newcastle hammer Qarabag | OneFootball

Anthony Gordon delivered a breathtaking four-goal display as Newcastle United dismantled Qarabag 6-1 in Azerbaijan to all but secure a place in the Champions League last 16.

Despite concerns over the 2,500-mile trip to Baku and a growing injury list, Eddie Howe’s side brushed aside any doubts with a devastating first-half performance at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.

Newcastle needed less than three minutes to strike. Dan Burn surged forward and slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Gordon’s path, and the winger calmly tucked his finish into the corner. The visitors doubled their lead soon after, Malick Thiaw powering home a header from Kieran Trippier’s inviting delivery.

Gordon took centre stage from there. He converted a penalty after a VAR review for handball, then capitalised on a defensive mistake to round the goalkeeper and complete his hat-trick. On the stroke of half-time, he won and scored another spot-kick to make it four on the night and ten in this season’s competition.

Qarabag grabbed a consolation through Elvin Cafarguliyev after the break, but substitute Jacob Murphy restored the five-goal cushion with a deflected strike from distance.

It was a statement win for Newcastle, equalling their biggest ever margin of victory in European competition and leaving the second leg at St James’ Park looking little more than a formality.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

Newcastle United takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Qarabag. Anthony Gordon found the back of the net, striking with his right foot from the right side of the penalty area into the left corner. The assist came from Dan Burn, who delivered a precise through ball.

3':

GOAL Newcastle: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) scores!

Anthony Gordon scores goal number 7 in the competition (9 matches)

Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 2. Malick Thiaw heads the ball into the left corner from just a few meters out. The assist comes from Kieran Trippier, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 2. Malick Thiaw scores for Newcastle United with a close-range header into the bottom left corner. The assist comes from Kieran Trippier, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 2. Malick Thiaw scores for Newcastle United with a header from close range into the bottom left corner. The assist comes from Kieran Trippier, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.

8':

GOAL Newcastle: Malick Thiaw (Newcastle) scores!

Malick Thiaw scores goal number 1 in the competition (9 matches)

32':

GOALNewcastle: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) scores penalty-kick!

Anthony Gordon scores goal number 8 in the competition (9 matches)

Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 4. Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United scores with a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 4. Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United scores with a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area into the bottom left corner.

33':

GOAL Newcastle: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) scores!

Anthony Gordon scores goal number 9 in the competition (9 matches)

Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 5. Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United successfully scores the penalty, striking the ball with his right foot into the top right corner of the net.

45 +1':

GOALNewcastle: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) scores penalty-kick!

Anthony Gordon scores goal number 10 in the competition (9 matches)

54':

GOAL Qarabag: Elvin Cafarquliyev (Qarabag) scores!

Elvin Cafarquliyev scores goal number 1 in the competition (9 matches)

Qarabag 1, Newcastle United 6. Jacob Murphy scores for Newcastle United with a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

72':

GOAL Newcastle: Jacob Murphy (Newcastle) scores!

Jacob Murphy scores goal number 1 in the competition (6 matches)

86':

Opportunity wasted. Badavi Hüseynov from Qarabag attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but failed to score. The assist came from Kady Borges, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.

87':

Missed opportunity. Marko Jankovic from Qarabag attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a corner, but it went wide to the left.

89':

Missed opportunity! Malick Thiaw from Newcastle United attempted a header from the center of the box but sent it wide to the left. The cross was delivered by Sean Neave.

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match