When the Champions League knockout phase play-off draw was made, there was an element of wincing from Newcastle supporters. Not least the distance required in order to watch their team play the away leg but also the potential upset that upcoming opponents Qarabag were capable of.
Fast forward to Wednesday evening and those supporters who had made the long trip to Baku would have been handsomely rewarded for their efforts. An emphatic win for the Magpies on enemy territory, their place in the knockout bracket all but confirmed within 90 minutes to spare.
Six goals for Eddie Howe’s men against a hapless Qarabag outfit, four of those being scored by Anthony Gordon. The decision to play him through the middle in attack paying dividend as early as the third minute.
Dan Burn being given license to roam further forward than usual – whether this was tactical or a precursor to how Qarabag where going to perform can be argued, there can be no argument with the coolness of how Gordon slotted home his first of the night.
From The Off
The perfect start at the Azersun Arena and the perfect platform in which to build from. Fast forward six minutes and Newcastle had doubled their advantage. Malick Thiaw’s back post header already turning the settings to cruise control.
While the visiting side where well in control by the time England international Gordon got his second goal of the night. Harvey Barnes’ effort just after the half hour adjudged to have hit the arm of Matheus Silva and after a check from the VAR, a penalty was subsequently awarded.
Nerve held from 12 yards, Newcastle now three goals to the good. Qarabag restart the game, Qarabag comically give away possession and who is there to take full advantage? Well done if you guessed Anthony Gordon.
The former Everton star nipping in to seize possession at the expense of Kevin Madina and once in control of the ball, all that was left was to round Qarabag ‘keeper Mateusz Kochalski to not only complete a first-half hat-trick but also make it 4-0 on the night.
Cruising to Victory
Mateusz Kochalski the only positive that the hosts could offer and were it not for his effort in between the posts, the Azerbaijani outfit could have been six, seven or even eight goals behind at the break.
Instead, they had to settle for being five goals worse off. Another penalty awarded and in doing so, arguably the game’s only real flashpoint. Not in its award to Newcastle but who would take it and with a hat-trick hero already in the books captain Kieran Trippier felt the duties should be shared.
The defender making a case for Nick Woltemade to take the effort from 12 yards, club penalty taker Anthony Gordon making a case to continue his hot streak. The latter party won out and he won his second spot kick duel to make it 5-0 at half time.
A margin that made the second half nothing more than a procession and although the hosts would grab a consolation through Elvin Cafarguliyev, Newcastle’s five-goal winning margin would be restored by Jacob Murphy in the 72nd minute.
As comprehensive an away win in the Champions League as possible and due to such an emphatic performance, it will allow Newcastle boss Eddie Howe the ability to make wholesale changes for the second leg - a huge luxury when you consider the important games that are now on the horizon.
