Eddie Howe shares what Anthony Gordon said to him before he took him off vs AC Milan last night

The Rossoneri are also in touch with Villarreal to terminate the loan spell of Matteo Gabbia early, thus bringing him back in the upcoming window.
When Anthony Gordon was substituted during Newcastle United’s Champions League loss to AC Milan, there was a sense of surprise.

With the score at 1-1, Newcastle United supporters knew that another goal would be enough to advance them to the next round of the Champions League, with PSG only drawing with Borussia Dortmund.

Eddie Howe turned to his leading scorer with 62 minutes remaining. As the Magpies looked for a winner, Alexander Isak came on.

Callum Wilson appeared to be on his way out, only for the fourth official to display the number 10.

That meant Anthony Gordon would be replaced, much to the chagrin of the Toon Army and everyone else watching.

It was a strange decision, and now Eddie Howe has explained why he decided to remove the 22-year-old from the action.

Eddie Howe took Anthony Gordon off due to a hamstring issue

Howe spoke to the Daily Mail after the 2-1 loss to AC Milan. He revealed why he removed Gordon, recalling what the winger told him before being replaced.

 

 

“I had to make two changes I didn’t really want to make [Gordon and Trippier] due to injury,” he told reporters.

On Gordon, Howe added: “He said he had an awareness of his hamstring. I am not sure if it’s an injury because he could still sort of play, but he couldn’t play to the level that he’s played for a long time.”

Newcastle lost their way in Champions League decider after Gordon came off

So it was a forced rather than a tactical adjustment. That makes more sense, given Gordon was having a fantastic game until he was withdrawn.

He was our most dangerous attacking threat, and he was instrumental in Joelinton’s spectacular first-half goal.

Gordon’s absence had a significant impact on the game. Isak’s fresh legs did not have the expected effect, with Newcastle losing their way after Howe was forced to take Gordon and Kieran Trippier off.

Hopefully, Newcastle’s number 10 will be fine, as we still have some key games coming up.

It is vital that we bounce back on Saturday against Fulham, then it is a trip to London for the Carabao Cup quarter final clash with Chelsea on Tuesday.