When Anthony Gordon had a haircut last week, there was great excitement among Newcastle’s online support. The hope was that, given his last Premier League goal from open play – and, most likely, his last trim – were both a year ago, the new look would shake something loose. A cutting edge.
At Wolves on Sunday, however, he was far less incisive than the scissors had been a few days earlier. A 31st consecutive top-flight game passed without a non-penalty goal. He was substituted in the 67th minute after no shots and no touches in the penalty area.
There are times when Gordon has played well this season and not reaped the rewards, but this was not one of them. Newcastle needed inspiration and he, nor any of his attacking team-mates, could provide it. They drew 0-0 against the worst team in the division.
‘Nowadays, stats are all that matters it seems, and that’s ruined football a little bit,’ said Gordon earlier this month, in protest at criticism. ‘You can play well, do so much for your team, but if you don’t score or assist, you haven’t played well.’
In the isolation of one game, or even a slightly longer run of matches, he is right, verdicts returned can be done so through the prism of results and ‘goal contributions’ alone. It is reactionary and short-sighted.
However, a year is too big a body of evidence not to warrant inspection, especially when a player has shown himself capable of much more. In 2023-24, Gordon recorded 11 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League. He was Newcastle’s player of the season. That is the frustration for supporters – at a time when their team needs goals, their England winger with the form in the book has stopped turning pages.
Anthony Gordon sports his new sharper trim ahead of Sunday’s clash with Wolves – but there was still no cutting edge to his play
Gordon has not scored a Premier League goal for Newcastle from open play since January 2025
Of late, his selection has been called into question by fans, who champion the cause of Harvey Barnes to start from his preferred left. Barnes has 11 goals this campaign but is currently operating from the right, and his return has masked a broader paucity from Eddie Howe’s widemen – Jacob Murphy has two goals from 25 appearances and Anthony Elanga none from 27.
Yet, I understand why Howe continues to start Gordon, and to do so where the player is most comfortable. If Newcastle are to be the team the head coach wants them to be, they need Gordon in it.
His ceiling for tone-setting energy and front-foot aggression is higher than any of his wide peers, and he compensates more than the others for the stylistic shift between Nick Woltemade and Alexander Isak. Howe sees his players every day and there is a reason his best XI has Gordon in it, just like England boss Thomas Tuchel.
Those close to the 24-year-old insist there is no concern over where his head is at, either, unlike last season in the wake of a move to Liverpool that collapsed amid Newcastle’s PSR peril. Sources insist that irritation – the club had floated his sale – has long since been soothed.
There is also no substance to recent reports of January interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. Gordon is focused on Newcastle and, this is no bad thing for his club, a World Cup in five months’ time.
‘He wants to play well and score goals, he’s determined to do that every time he plays,’ said one source. ‘There is no issue over happiness or attitude or application. Maybe his confidence is lacking a little bit, but that can change with one game or one goal.’
This has been the message on Gordon all season. He has scored eight times, six of them penalties including both of his league goals. The penalties are still big moments, I was reminded this week.
That is fair, and Gordon has dedicated hours to a technique that boasts a 100 per cent record. It is also fair to point to his availability during a relentless schedule – only three team-mates have started more games this season. But consistency of availability has not translated to consistency of performance. In short, there has been some good, some not so good. For a player who wants to be considered elite, ‘some’ is not nearly enough.
Gordon has dedicated hours to his penalty-taking technique and boasts a 100 per cent record this season
Recently there has been too much meandering infield from Gordon, too much caution and too little invention
Toon boss Eddie Howe sees his players every day and there is a reason his best XI has Gordon in it, just like England boss Thomas Tuchel
At his best, Gordon inspires his own team-mates and unsettles the opposition, a nuisance who can set the standard for the collective with an early dribble or tackle. Newcastle’s biggest and best nights under Howe have often been defined by Gordon’s intensity.
Recently, though, there has been too much meandering infield, too much caution and too little invention. He is better than he has shown, even though there have been halves or periods of high impact. During the first half of December’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea, he was a menace. It is why Howe starts him, the belief that at his best he is better than the rest.
But there is also a reason why Gordon has been brought off in 13 of his 15 league starts. Look at his 23-24 involvement, and there were 26 full games. This season, he has faded in too many after purposeful openings. It does, though, prove the point – the intent is there, the execution less so.
The new hairdo Gordon sees in the mirror he might like, but if he’s being honest, the player beneath it does not, right now, reflect his sharpest cut.
