Anthony Gordon needs to look at Jacob Murphy for Newcastle inspiration

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Anthony Gordon let himself down on Saturday when Eddie Howe decided to take him off against Brentford.

The Newcastle winger reacted angrily in stoppage time at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Howe opting to bring Matt Ritchie on in place of Gordon for the remaining 30 seconds.

The decision left Gordon furious, and he was involved in an altercation with Howe as he trudged off the pitch. The Toon boss has since played down the incident, while Ritchie and Kieran Trippier both spoke to the 22-year-old immediately after the full time whistle.

There has been quite the overreaction from some corners. Pundit Stan Collymore called him a ‘disgrace‘ and suggested that Newcastle should sell him already.

That won’t be happening, and Gordon needs to quickly put what happened behind him. However, he does need to start taking inspiration from one of his Newcastle teammates.

Anthony Gordon must follow Jacob Murphy’s example at Newcastle

While it is good to have a passionate player like Gordon, it was disappointing to see his reaction to being substituted on Saturday. Yes, it is annoying to be brought on and then brought off again, but the team has to come first.

This is something Gordon needs to realise, and he can look no further than Jacob Murphy.

The 28-year-old is not the most talented player in Eddie Howe’s squad, but he is massively important. He has forged a role for himself, and became someone who Howe can rely on.

He has been brought on at key moments in tight games, tasked with using his nous to help Newcastle get over the line.

With Murphy, the team always comes first, and that was clear for all to see against Southampton in the Carabao Cup final second leg.

Howe brought him on in the 62nd minute, then he was taken off again in the 97th minute. It was no reflection on his performance, merely a tactical decision that Murphy took in his stride. He didn’t pout or complain, exiting the pitch with a wry smile on his face.

For some players that might be embarrassing, but the £12million man always puts the team first. And that is what Gordon needs to learn to do.

He should prove to be more influential than Murphy in the coming years, but needs to buy into the team ethos that Howe has instilled. Every player is pulling in the right direction, but that wasn’t evident from Gordon when he was taken off against Brentford.

The £45million man will learn from what happened, and needs to take inspiration from the teammate who is currently keeping him out of the starting XI.