Anthony Gordon Stars in qarabag fk vs newcastle Blowout as He Breaks Shearer’s Champions League Record
Anthony Gordon produced a sensational display as Newcastle ran riot in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie in Baku, scoring four goals in a 6-1 win and moving clear as the club’s leading scorer in the competition with 10 goals.
Gordon’s clinical night in Azerbaijan
Gordon was relentless from the start. By half-time he had bagged four goals, including a penalty he insisted on taking, pushing his season tally in the Champions League to double figures. The forward made his intention clear after the game: "We should be in it together, but I'm an attacker. I'm the penalty taker, so I want to score as many goals as I possibly can. " His ruthlessness in front of goal and willingness to lead the attack were decisive factors in a one-sided encounter.
The Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku witnessed a near-perfect night for the visitors. Dan Burn’s early pass set up one of Gordon’s strikes, while teammates throughout the pitch contributed to a high-tempo press that pinned Qarabag back and created repeated openings. Newcastle’s movement through the middle — with Gordon playing higher and Nick Woltemade dropping into a No. 10 role at times — proved a constant problem for the hosts.
Tactical dominance and key contributors
Qarabag’s approach, which left defensive lines high up the pitch in the first half, handed Newcastle space to exploit. That gamble backfired as the visitors punished the hosts’ positioning with pace and directness. When Qarabag eventually regrouped and dropped deeper after the interval, the damage had largely been done.
Beyond Gordon, Newcastle’s balance between pressing intensity and clinical finishing was evident. Malick Thiaw got on the scoresheet, and Kieran Trippier’s presence provided quality in wide areas and from set-piece situations. The team’s collective energy and choice to attack the spaces behind Qarabag’s defense allowed Newcastle to build a commanding lead and maintain control for large periods.
Records, context and the path ahead
Gordon’s four-goal haul carried extra significance. He surpassed a long-standing club mark to become Newcastle’s top scorer in Champions League history with 10 goals, eclipsing the previous benchmark. His performance also underlined his adaptability: recently deployed centrally in away fixtures, he has added a different dimension to Eddie Howe’s side with movement and pace through the centre.
Managerial reaction after the match praised the collective display while cautioning that the tie is not finished. The manager described the outing as "a great day for us, " highlighting both the quality shown and the need for focus in the return leg. With a five-goal cushion from the first leg, Newcastle head home in a very strong position, but the job will only be done once the second leg has been played.
For Qarabag, the result is a harsh lesson in the risks of defending too high against a side that strikes quickly on the counter and presses intensely. They will need to reassess their approach if they are to overturn the deficit at home.
Gordon’s night in Baku will be remembered not just for the goals but for the statement it makes about his growing influence in Europe. As Newcastle aim to push deeper into the Champions League, the forward’s finishing instincts and assertiveness from the spot could prove decisive in the rounds ahead.
