Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon speaking in an interview (Image: TNT Sports)
Newcastle duo Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier opened up on their Champions League disagreement during the 6-1 first-leg win over Qarabag. Gordon, 24, experienced a memorable night in Azerbaijan, netting four first-half goals to put Newcastle firmly in control of the tie.
Two of his strikes came from penalties, the first following a contentiously awarded spot-kick and the second after being fouled by Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski. However, following the latter incident, Trippier and Gordon engaged in a heated exchange on the pitch.
Trippier was frustrated that the former Everton forward didn’t allow him to take the second spot-kick.
When the half-time whistle sounded, only smiles would have been anticipated, given the Magpies were commanding at 5-0, with Malick Thiaw also having found the net. Yet there was a confrontation between the two England internationals, with several sharp words being exchanged.
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Dan Burn and Anthony Elanga were the players who attempted to calm the tensions between the pair. Once the final whistle blew with Newcastle holding a 6-1 aggregate advantage ahead of the second leg at St. James’ Park against the Azerbaijanis on February 24, Gordon and Trippier both addressed TNT Sports simultaneously.
By the time the cameras were rolling and questions were being posed, they had resolved the disagreement. When asked what the dispute was about, Trippier, whilst Gordon chuckled beside him, said: « Obviously, Gordy scored a hat-trick and I think I, and all the other players, wanted to take the penalty, but he’s our penalty taker.
« He wants to score goals, as everybody else does, but ultimately he is the penalty taker. In football, emotions are high on the pitch at times and it is what it is. He scored four goals, he was unbelievable today, and we move on. »
Dan Burn had to separate his two team-mates. (Image: TNT Sports.)
When the question was directed towards Gordon, the £40million man said: « Yeah, but I understand everyone’s opinion because I want everyone to succeed and we should be in it together. But I’m an attacker and the penalty taker, I want to score as many goals as I possible can.
« I understood everyone’s opinion and emotions do get high. But, he’s one of my closest team-mates, he has been since I joined the club, he’s done so much for me. So, yeah, he’s alright. »
Following the match, Howe also showered further praise upon Gordon. He said: « He was really, really good in that first half. I mean, I think he started the press.
« A number of his goals came from his attitude off the ball. I’m really pleased with his first goal as well because that was a key moment. It was a really good finish. He could have had more, but a very good display. »
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