Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has hit back at criticism from Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane, and Alan Shearer over his substitute appearance against Barcelona, branding their comments 'absolute nonsense'. Gordon was an unused substitute for much of the match due to illness, but the pundits questioned why he did not start or play the full game.
Speaking after Newcastle's 1-0 win over Chelsea, Gordon clarified the situation: 'I was in bed for three days, missed training, so I was sick for three days. Then I turned up on the day of the game ready to start and I thought I was starting. When I got to the stadium, the manager told me I wasn't starting, which you can imagine I didn't like very much, but that's his decision.'
Gordon also dismissed Rooney's claim that he had refused to shake hands before the game to avoid spreading illness. 'I got changed by myself in a changing room the size of this. It was just me and a sink. So it was complete nonsense, and I think they need to do better at what they are doing,' he added.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe also defended Gordon, stating: 'He was absolutely willing to play in the game against Barcelona. It was my decision not to start him based on the fact that he'd been ill that morning and hadn't attended the training session.'
Gordon returned to the starting lineup against Chelsea and scored the winning goal in the 18th minute, securing three points for Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.
