Anthony Gordon: Newcastle forward hits back at ‘complete nonsense’ from Rooney and Shearer
What few people knew at the time was that Gordon had been ill for three days.
He couldn’t even attend the overview session on the morning of the Barça match.
Although Gordon felt “ready to start” that evening, it was head coach Eddie Howe who made the final decision to bench him after speaking with the club’s medical team.
“When I arrived at the stadium the manager told me I wasn’t playing, which I didn’t like very much, but it was his decision and the team played well,” he said.
“To say I don’t want to play in the biggest game of my career is absolute nonsense.
“I think Rooney said I walked past them, didn’t shake their hands and went to the dressing room. So I didn’t.
“I changed alone in a changing room that size. It was just me and a sink. Total nonsense. I think they need to do better at what they do.”
Howe and Gordon agreed he was fit enough to start at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The 25-year-old certainly looked like it.
His goal made the difference against Chelsea, but Gordon’s work off the ball was also very important in this win.
Gordon led Newcastle’s pressing from the front – creating more intense pressure than other players in the opposition half – and also returned to help his teammates on many occasions.
At one point, as Chelsea captain Reece James was about to shoot from a dangerous position, Gordon ran back to challenge and took a nasty knock in the process.
No wonder so many members of the coaching staff and some of Gordon’s teammates have gone full-time for him.
“He’s so determined and focused on what he needs to do that a lot of the noise bothers him, which is great to be able to do if you’re him,” Howe said.
“I encourage every player to do this. Don’t get distracted, don’t get carried away, don’t take in anything; just focus on what you need to do.
“That’s what he always does. He’s been in a really good place lately. I was very happy with what he did. It was a big game and he really stepped up. He scored the goal but he contributed to the win in so many ways.”
