Yesterday, the match held in Baku at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium during the UEFA Champions League play-off round was at the center of attention for the Azerbaijani football community.
Aghdam representative Qarabağ FK hosted England's Newcastle United F.C., and the match ended with a 6:1 victory for the visitors.
The author of 4 of these 6 goals was Newcastle's winger Anthony Gordon.
Modern.az has investigated the footballer's career path.
The path starting from Liverpool
Anthony Michael Gordon was born on February 24, 2001, in Liverpool, England. He is of Irish and Scottish descent. Gordon, who started playing football at an early age, initially played for the "Liverpool" academy. However, after leaving there at the age of 11, he joined the "Everton FK" academy.
From Europa League to Premier League
Gordon, who was included in the main squad for the Europa League match against Apollon Limassol on December 6, 2017, for "Everton", made his first-team debut the next day, entering the field in the 88th minute, and "Everton" secured a 3:0 victory.
His Premier League debut was as follows:
January 18, 2020 – Made his first appearance in a 1:1 draw against “West Ham”.
June 26, 2020 – Featured in the starting lineup for the first time against “Liverpool”.
September 1, 2020 – Signed a new 5-year contract with the club.
Preston stage: a step for development
On February 1, 2021, he was loaned to "Preston North End FK" until the end of the season. He made his debut there against "Rotherham United" (1:2). This loan period played a significant role in his physical and tactical development.
2021–22: season of ascent
Gordon made his first assist against "Chelsea". The young footballer attracted attention by scoring the only goal in a 1:0 victory over "Manchester United".
At the end of the season, he was chosen as the "Young Player of the Year" by both the club management and fans. Although transfer rumors to "Chelsea" spread in the summer of 2022, the move did not materialize.
Move to "Newcastle": a turning point
On January 29, 2023, after submitting an official transfer request, he signed a long-term contract with "Newcastle". The player, whose transfer fee was close to 45 million pounds sterling including bonuses, made his debut against "West Ham" (1:1). Gordon scored his first goal for this team against "Chelsea" in the final round of the 2022–23 season.
2023–24 season: towards leadership
In this season, he has been remembered for the following in his career:
-Assist in a 5:1 victory over “Aston Villa”
-First home goal against “Liverpool”
-Consistent performance throughout the season
As a result, he won the club's "Player of the Year" award.
Discipline and the European stage
Gordon, who received a red card for a rough tackle against "Liverpool" defender Virgil van Dijk, became the first "Newcastle" player to score in 3 consecutive Champions League games by scoring in a 3:0 victory over "Benfica".
Baku night: historic performance
Yesterday, by scoring 4 goals in a 6:1 victory against "Qarabağ" in the Champions League play-off round, the 24-year-old player achieved his first career hat-trick. With this, he became the third "Newcastle" player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League, after Faustino Asprilla and Alan Shearer. He also made history as the first "Newcastle" footballer to score 4 goals in a single game in a European tournament.
