Saturday proved another successful afternoon for Newcastle United.
Blowing off the cobwebs after the international break, Newcastle picked up where they left off to thrash Crystal Palace at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe was also able to rotate his squad even despite injury problems, affording the likes of Callum Wilson and Jacob Murphy a start while Joelinton also returned.
One man who isn’t likely to drop out of the starting eleven, however, is Anthony Gordon.
The 22-year-old scored his third goal of the season and was picked out for particular praise by BBC Sport pundit Rachel Brown-Finnis.
Anthony Gordon: BBC Sport pundit says Newcastle star was “electric” vs Crystal Palace
Back from suspension after sitting out the draw away at West Ham, the former Everton forward picked up where he left off.
While Kieran Trippier and Murphy’s connection on the opposite flank was hailed by Paul Merson, Gordon’s work on the left did not go unnoticed.
“Anthony Gordon’s been electric down that left hand side,” the ex-England goalkeeper told BBC Sport at 16.48.
“He’s left an impact on this game. He usually just creates the goals, and doesn’t score, so glad to see him get a goal today.”
Anthony Gordon: £40m looking like a bargain for Newcastle
The £40m Newcastle paid Everton to sign Gordon is increasingly looking like a big bargain.
A regular source of goals for the team this season, those difficult first few months on Tyneside seem so long ago these days.
To have signed a player with such an upside is vindication of the PIF transfer policy.
Sure, the owners could have gone out and signed more of the finished article to try and make a statement but instead they trusted Howe to coach a rough diamond into a player who can have a genuine impact at the top level.
Watching him against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday will be a sight to behold.
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