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Anthony Gordon Their Champions League quality received strong endorsement from jose mourinho After helping to condemn his Benfica side to a crushing defeat in newcastle,
24 year old England The international scored the first goal – his fourth in the competition in three matches this season – and set up the last goal in a 3-0 win at St James’ Park on Tuesday evening as he played a key role for the Magpies.
While his efforts earned him praise from his own head coach eddie howe And the locals among the crowd of 52,073 also praised Mourinho, who lined up for the former Everton frontman at the final whistle.
Asked what the Portuguese had said to him, Gordon replied: “He said ‘You’re too much’, which is a big compliment to me because as a kid, growing up, he was my favorite manager in the world.
“It’s quite strange because he was quite a defensive manager, but I like his style… Still, the bench was getting up. He really creates a team atmosphere, it’s like us against the world. I recognize that from his game, so it was a big compliment.
“It means a lot. Even though I don’t idolize him, any praise from any coach at this level means a lot.”
Gordon’s performance was the highlight of an encouraging evening for Newcastle, who moved up to seventh in the table with six points from their first three games.
He opened the scoring on 32 minutes by timely meeting Jacob Murphy’s lovely cross and, after substitute Harvey Barnes made the most of a brilliant throw from keeper Nick Pope to double his side’s lead 19 minutes from time, Gordon doubled his tally by slipping past the former Leicester man.
Howe said: “I thought both of our wingers who started the game did really well. It was great to see them combine for the first goal, it was a really pleasing sight.”
“Anthony played very direct and I thought athletically, he was excellent. He gave a really big effort both on and off the ball.”
If the second goal was impressive thanks to Pope’s vision and execution, the third, in which Nick Woltemade provided a flick return pass to Gordon before picking out Barnes’ run, was of picture-book quality.
The £69million Germany international is in many respects still finding his feet on Tyneside, but Gordon has been extremely impressed with what he has seen so far.
He said: “When he first came I was unsure about his style of play, how it would be for me. It’s incredible to be honest. I didn’t think it would be as good as it has been.”
“He suits my game very well. He sees the little passes I make into the corner – that’s my style of play as a winger. A lot of attackers can’t really play that style, but some of his first touches, some of his little flicks – especially for the third goal – he’s top, top level.”