Anthony Gordon scored his first goal for Barcelona on Saturday, netting the opener in a 3-0 win over Getafe just two minutes into the match. The former Newcastle United winger returned from the international break in form, having spent a productive period with the England camp, and carried that momentum into club football.
Barcelona extend perfect La Liga start
The victory helped Barcelona maintain their perfect record at the top of La Liga, where they have now won eight games from eight. Gordon, who joined the club in the summer, had previously registered five assists in six league appearances but had struggled to find the net.
Despite his breakthrough, the Spanish media still found room for criticism. Mundo Deportivo noted that summer signings Gordon and Gabriel Jesus “aren't dazzling stars,” though the comment was intended as a compliment to Barcelona's recruitment, crediting the pair as “smart signings” who arrived with lesser profiles than those they replaced.
Mixed reviews from Spanish outlets
Mundo Deportivo also praised Gordon's “well-executed individual effort” and suggested his “confidence is palpable.” Madrid-based daily AS highlighted how Gordon has turned things around compared to before the international break, writing: “He had missed every possible opportunity. But as soon as he donned the England jersey, he started scoring. He returned with a different attitude.”
Marca paid the highest compliment, lauding Gordon alongside fellow signings Jesus and Karim Adeyemi. Recruited to replace Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford, the newspaper suggested “nobody remembers those three players anymore.” Marca handed Gordon a nine-out-of-10 rating for his performance, noting he is “brimming with confidence.”
Gordon's first goal opens floodgates
A separate comment noted the Liverpudlian has “improved immensely since joining Barca.” While Gordon has shown plenty of production in Hansi Flick's system almost instantly, the hope is that this first goal opens the floodgates for the winger.
Newcastle fans will watch his success from afar with mixed emotions. Many will still feel forlorn that Gordon is no longer one of their own, while others will have beamed with pride as the former Magpies talisman finds his feet in Catalonia.
