Two Newcastle players immediately spoke to Gordon after Brentford win

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Anthony Gordon was not a happy man when Eddie Howe decided to take him off against Brentford.

Newcastle were looking to see out the game on Saturday, and Howe decided to take Gordon off and bring on the experienced Matt Ritchie. That is despite the fact Gordon had only just come on at half time.

With less than a minute to go, the 22-year-old trudged off furiously, and exchanged words with Howe. There was an altercation between the two, which did not look good.

There has been a lot of talk about the incident following the game. Howe called on Gordon to control his emotions, while he was branded a ‘disgrace’ by Stan Collymore.

Some of the reaction has been completely over the top, and now the Athletic’s George Caulkin has shed some light on what happened in the immediate aftermath.

Two Newcastle players had a word with Anthony Gordon

Caulkin has spoke about the incident on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne, and named the two Newcastle players who immediately spoke to Gordon after the final whistle.

“At the end, very pleasing to see, first Matt Ritchie and then Kieran Trippier were talking to him,” he said.

“He looked absolutely devastated did Gordon.”

Caulkin added: “They had a lovely cuddle walking off the pitch and they stood in front of the fans for ages at the end listening to fans singing.”

Experienced players leading by example

While some of the reaction has been slightly over the top, it was a little disappointing to see how Gordon responded to Howe’s decision.

But it was the heat of the moment, and he will learn from it. It isn’t going to lead to him being sold like Stan Collymore suggested…

What was good to see was Newcastle’s experienced players intervening and having a word. Ritchie and Trippier are two of the oldest players in the group, and definitely two of the most respected. They are two of Howe’s lieutenants, and he will have been delighted to see them put their arm round Gordon and have a word.

It highlights the role Ritchie has, despite not playing regularly. He is still well respected in the group by the players and staff.

As for Gordon, he will learn from this moment, and probably already regrets what happened. So he should, but it is not going to define his Toon career.