Anthony Gordon Grabs Four as Newcastle Hit Qarabag for Six in Playoff
When, on the eve of kick-off, Qarabag's manager, Gurban Gurbanov, remarked that Newcastle United possessed 'a style of play that does not suit us', many speculated he was engaging in psychological tactics. However, long before half-time, it became abundantly clear that Gurbanov had, if anything, significantly understated the challenge. Had this encounter been a boxing match, it would likely have been halted within minutes due to the sheer dominance displayed by the English side.
Qarabag were utterly overwhelmed by the blistering pace of their guests, with Anthony Gordon emerging as the standout performer. The winger, deployed in a centre-forward role, scored four times, elevating his Champions League tally for the season to an impressive 10 goals. This commanding performance ensured that the 1,998 Newcastle supporters, who had embarked on a arduous journey to the Caspian Sea via indirect flights through cities such as Istanbul and Warsaw, were richly rewarded for their endurance.
Newcastle's Restorative Display in Baku
Eddie Howe has faced numerous challenges in recent weeks, but his squad found this swift visit to Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, and its Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium to be as rejuvenating as a week-long spa retreat. Newcastle must wish more opponents attempted to play out from the back as ineptly as Qarabag did, not to mention capitulate so readily in the face of their aggressive, high-intensity pressing game.
Despite Qarabag having secured victories over Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt, and FC Copenhagen in this season's Champions League, they simply folded under the relentless pressure. Newcastle sprinted away with the first leg of this playoff, positioning themselves strongly for a place in the last 16. The 2,529-mile journey undertaken by Howe's team marked the longest away trip ever made by an English side in the competition's history, yet they showed minimal signs of jet lag after their six-hour flight from Tyneside.
Early Dominance and Defensive Contributions
The match had scarcely begun when Dan Burn channeled his inner Beckenbauer, stepping elegantly out of defence to deliver a beautifully weighted pass to Gordon. The England international, supported by Nick Woltemade in the No. 10 role, required no second invitation to lash home his seventh Champions League goal of the campaign. Not to be overshadowed, Burn's central defensive partner, Malick Thiaw, swiftly added a goal of his own, heading home from a clever corner routine orchestrated by Kieran Trippier that left Qarabag's defence bamboozled.
Gordon's blistering acceleration continued to petrify the home side, but he relied on precision for his second goal, converting a penalty after Matheus Silva handled in the area. His hat-trick was completed when he dispossessed Kevin Medina before calmly rounding goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski. Gordon then added a fourth from the spot after being brought down by Kochalski, who, aside from that moment, performed admirably and was largely responsible for preventing the scoreline from reaching double figures.
Qarabag's Brief Resurgence and Newcastle's Final Flourish
Newcastle's goalkeeper, Nick Pope, had been a virtual spectator until early in the second half when he was arguably beaten too easily by Elvin Cafarquliyev's low, hard shot, which was just onside. A momentary lapse in concentration from Newcastle's defence allowed Qarabag to score, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans and leaving Howe visibly disgruntled on the touchline.
Gurbanov adjusted his defence to a back five, making Qarabag appear more resilient. Their cause was further aided by a series of substitutions from Newcastle, including Gordon's withdrawal, as Howe's attention seemingly turned to the upcoming Premier League clash at Manchester City, where the absence of the injured Bruno Guimarães may be more keenly felt. However, one of Newcastle's substitutes, Jacob Murphy, sealed the victory with a sixth goal, cutting in from the right and watching his curling left-foot shot deflect past Kochalski.
This comprehensive 6-1 triumph not only highlights Newcastle's attacking prowess but also underscores their tactical discipline and physical intensity, setting a formidable precedent for the return leg.
