Anthony Gordon channeled the ruthless spirit of Alan Shearer on Wednesday night, scoring four goals in Newcastle United’s 6-1 Champions League demolition of Qarabag.
In a record-breaking performance at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium, Gordon overtook Shearer as the club’s all-time leading scorer in the competition with 10 goals.
He also became the first Englishman ever to score three or more goals in a Champions League knockout stage match.
After winning a penalty while already on a hat-trick, Gordon refused to hand the ball to teammate Nick Woltemade, echoing Shearer’s famous single-mindedness.
Gordon opened the scoring in the second minute and secured his hat-trick just seconds after the restart in the second half.
Deployed centrally by Eddie Howe, Gordon’s pace and pressing dismantled Qarabag’s high defensive line.
“I’m an attacker. I’m the penalty taker, so I want to score as many as I possibly can,” Gordon told TNT Sports.
The victory caps a stunning turnaround for Newcastle.
Just ten days after being booed off against Brentford, the Magpies have secured three straight away wins, including the longest trip an English fanbase has ever made in the Champions League (2,500 miles).
