Anthony Gordon played special role in Alexander Isak’s goal v West Ham

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Some of West Ham’s defending against Newcastle United was comical, but the funniest goal of the lot had to be Alexander Isak’s.

It felt like Christmas at the London Stadium, with West Ham handing out gift after gift. Newcastle opened every last one, with the likes of Callum Wilson and Isak benefitting from the Hammers’ generosity.

The fourth goal was particularly amusing, with Lukasz Fabianski rushing out to intercept Bruno Guimaraes’ through ball. He tried to play Isak in on goal, but the West Ham keeper read the situation.

However, the 37-year-old got it all wrong. He failed to clear the ball away, and it fell right into the path of Isak. The Swede took one touch to control it, then coolly lofted it over the West Ham defenders to score his seventh of the season.

It was an embarrassing moment for Fabianski, made worse by the already iconic photo of him stood next to Isak watching the ball go into the back of the net.

Anthony Gordon deserves praise for Alexander Isak goal

While you can point to the calmness of Isak or the vision of Bruno, there is one more Newcastle player who deserves a lot of praise for his role in the fourth goal of the evening – Anthony Gordon.

The chance was made possible by the 22-year-old’s desire to win back possession. He slid in and dispossessed Emerson with ease, allowing Newcastle to launch another attack from deep in their own half.

Moments later and the Magpies are celebrating at the other end, capitalising on another West Ham mistake.

The plaudits will go to Isak for his composed finish, while everyone will remember Fabianski’s monumental error. But it would not have happened at all had it not been for Gordon’s desire to win the ball back.

We are yet to see him become an attacking force in a Toon shirt, but he is already buying into the work ethic that Eddie Howe instills into his players. He was battling against Manchester United, roared on by the raucous home crowd. Then he was at it again at the London Stadium, surrounded by a sea of empty seats.

Gordon’s challenge on Emerson looked like a minor moment, but it was one that will have delighted Howe.