Barcelona supporters have made their feelings clear following Anthony Gordon’s interview straight after Newcastle’s 2-1 Champions League defeat on Thursday night. St James’ Park provided the Magpies with the perfect setting to pull off a shock result, but two sublime goals from Marcus Rashford quickly ended those hopes.
Every tackle was celebrated like a goal, and while Eddie Howe’s side did manage to score in the 90th minute – Gordon finding the net just as seven additional minutes were announced – it still wasn’t enough to take something from the Spanish champions, who rolled back the clock to their tiki taka pomp to keep the ball for much of the remaining sequences and nullify any attacks.
It was a mixed night for Gordon in the end. He applied pressure late on, but failed to make a convincing case to keep starting as a centre-forward. Howe’s system looked designed to create counterattacking scenarios, with Newcastle’s attack built around pace, but the England international squandered a golden first-half opportunity to take the lead.
Anthony Gordon’s Candid Interview After Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona
In a lot of moments, perhaps a more natural number nine, like Nick Woltemade, might have been the better fit. But Gordon has drawn praise for his candid interview after the defeat from both sets of supporters, with his knowledge and acceptance of the game shining through. He told BeIN Sports (watch the full interview below):
“The way they keep the ball was a learning experience. They were the best I’ve played against in that sense of the game. To be honest, we are not used playing against players who can keep the ball in this way. Yes, we faced Chelsea and Manchester City before, but they were never like this…”
On Rashford, who, despite struggling in the early months of his loan spell at Barcelona, came up with two important goals in Lamine Yamal’s absence, Gordon remarked: “On his day, he’s one of the best in the world.”
Barcelona supporters, in particular, have shown an appreciation for the 24-year-old’s honesty, respect, and sportsmanship, with one X user commenting: “Brilliant interview. Top class from Gordon today,” as another added: “I really like this guy! Fair play, mate.” Elsewhere, a third continued:
“One thing I like about these English players is that they speak the truth. How they feel they always say it. Good one, lad… you did well.”
A fourth user wrote: “Brilliant interview. Top class from Gordon today.” Meanwhile, a fifth concluded: “Gordon is a true gentleman of the game. Loved how he said he would do the same if he was winning.”