Why it’s time for big-game Gordon to deliver in Premier League

Anthony Gordon was expressed in three plain words by Jose Mourinho.

“You’re too much”.

As Newcastle United’s forward embraced him on Tuesday at St James’ Park at full-time, the Benfica manager said that.

In a 3-0 victory over his team in the Champions League, Mourinho had just watched Gordon open the scoring and set up Harvey Barnes’ second goal.

The first Newcastle player to score in three successive games on the night was Gordon.

The man of the match looked at home at Europe’s top table on the night.

According to Gordon, “It brings the best out of me.” “I feel alive the moment I play the biggest games. This level of play is what I enjoy. I wanted to play there when I was younger, so I’m living the dream.

That performance must be taken into Saturday’s home game against Fulham for Gordon and Newcastle.

For Newcastle, Gordon has performed in big-games so frequently.

The England forward scored against Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United in a single Premier League campaign, becoming only the second player to do so alongside Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy.

Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Arsenal were the only other goals he scored for Newcastle in all competitions last year, scoring five of the nine goals.

Perhaps his relished life in the Champions League should not come as a surprise.

In that competition, Gordon ranks joint first for total goals and assists (five), third for goals (four), and has the most big chances (six), and tied for fourth for wins (eight), among all players.

His shot conversion rate (50%) and xG (2.73) were higher in the Champions League than in the Premier League this season from a small sample size, which includes two penalties against Union Saint-Gilloise.

On the other hand, according to Opta, Gordon has five more chances in the top flight, he has dribbled more times, he has nine more fouls, he has taken more shots (13), and he has had more touches in the opposition box (18).

Despite appearing in two more Premier League games, he has yet to find the back of the net or make an assist.

The England international jokes that domestically playing with the Champions League ball would be beneficial.

One or two of his team-mates might be equally impacted.

Newcastle may have scored eight goals in Europe this year, but only the bottom three Premier League sides have allowed less than seven goals in eight games.

What’s the purpose of this? Many find it perplexing.

Following a halt in his career, Gordon is certain to be desperate to find the solution.

After receiving a mindless red card against Brighton, Gordon was sent off for the Carabao Cup final last year, which saw Newcastle finally come to an end to a 70-year drought to capture a significant domestic prize at Wembley.

Gordon could only watch as Harvey Barnes, a left-winger, flourished before returning to the Newcastle starting lineup for the final few games of the campaign, before suffering a thigh injury while on international duty.

In contrast to former team-mate Alexander Isak, who was attempting to force through a move to Liverpool, Gordon took to the field in the pre-season eager to make his mark, especially in a World Cup year.

However, Gordon’s unwavering desire to excel showed up in his performance against Liverpool in August when he was sent off for a late tackle on Virgil van Dijk, which resulted in his receiving a three-game Premier League suspension.

Yet it is simple to forget that this player is only 24 years old.

With his abrasive and creative play when at his best, Gordon has already established himself as an unwavering favorite of England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Delivering week in and week out is now the challenge.

Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle, said, “I believe there is more to come from him.” On Tuesday, he appeared to be in a really good mood. He ran straight and was energetic.