Newcastle Duo Address Champions League Spat After Dominant Victory
Newcastle United players Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier have provided insight into their argument during the team's commanding Champions League win against Qarabag. The incident occurred despite Gordon's remarkable performance, where he scored four goals in the first half, including a record-breaking hat-trick.
Heated Exchange Amidst Goal Fest
During the match in Azerbaijan, Gordon, aged 24, netted two penalties among his four goals, helping Newcastle secure a 5-0 lead by halftime, with Malick Thiaw also scoring. However, after Gordon took the second penalty instead of Trippier, a confrontation erupted between the England teammates on the pitch.
Teammates Dan Burn and Anthony Elanga intervened to calm the dispute, which saw harsh words exchanged. Despite the dominant scoreline, tensions were high as Trippier expressed displeasure over the penalty decision.
Post-Match Reconciliation and Explanations
After the match concluded with a 6-1 aggregate lead ahead of the second leg at St. James' Park on February 24, both players spoke jointly to TNT Sports. By then, they had resolved their disagreement.
Trippier explained, "Obviously, Gordy scored a hat-trick and I think I, and all the other players, wanted to take the penalty, but he's our penalty taker. He wants to score goals, as everybody else does, but ultimately he is the penalty taker. In football, emotions are high on the pitch at times and it is what it is. He scored four goals, he was unbelievable today, and we move on."
Gordon added, "Yeah, but I understand everyone's opinion because I want everyone to succeed and we should be in it together. But I'm an attacker and the penalty taker, I want to score as many goals as I possibly can. I understood everyone's opinion and emotions do get high. But, he's one of my closest team-mates, he has been since I joined the club, he's done so much for me. So, yeah, he's alright."
Manager's Praise for Gordon's Performance
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe also commended Gordon's display, stating, "He was really, really good in that first half. I mean, I think he started the press. A number of his goals came from his attitude off the ball. I'm really pleased with his first goal as well because that was a key moment. It was a really good finish. He could have had more, but a very good display."
The incident highlights the intense emotions in high-stakes football, but both players emphasized moving forward positively as Newcastle advances in the Champions League.
