Anthony Gordon scored four first-half goals as Newcastle beat Qarabag 6-1 in the first leg of the knockout play-offs, all but sealing a place in the Champions League last 16 against either Chelsea or Barcelona.
Gordon scored in the third minute and converted two penalties past goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski, taking his tally to 10 in Europe this season. The goalkeeper was also brought down by a header from Malik Thiaw in an unusual start and a deflected shot from Jacob Murphy in the second half.
Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier and Gordon had to be separated by teammates on the way to the dressing room, despite holding a five-point lead at half-time, and appeared to have gotten into an argument over the forward’s second penalty. However, when Gordon was substituted in the second half, they hugged and appeared to make up.
Newcastle had 16 shots in the first half alone, with 11 of them on target. Kochalski made six saves to prevent further embarrassment from the visitors’ onslaught, with striker Nick Waltemade taking control in midfield.
Newcastle easily made the 2,529-mile journey to Azerbaijan, the longest distance ever traveled by an English club in an away Champions League match, and built a two-goal lead within eight minutes. Dan Byrne ran forward and Gordon scored, with Trippier’s cross headed home by Tiau.
Newcastle defender Malik Thiaw (centre) celebrates his first-half header
Eddie Howe’s side should have been further ahead when Gordon smashed his penalty into the left corner after Matheus Silva was penalized for handball. However, shortly after the restart he pounced on more schoolboy defenses and beat Kochalski in the 33rd minute to complete his hat-trick and score Newcastle’s fourth goal.
There was still time when Gordon was brought down by the goalkeeper, but after a brief discussion with Trippier, Gordon took the spot kick into the opposite corner and scored his first goal.
Newcastle eased the pace after half-time and Qarabag left-back Ervin Kafarkuliev punished them, firing a shot from an angle that went past Nick Pope and was initially ruled out for offside, but the goal was cleared by VAR.
Kafarkuliev was then involved in Newcastle’s seventh goal of the night, and Newcastle’s sixth, as substitute Murphy fired a shot from outside the box that sailed past the goalkeeper.
Newcastle visit Premier League title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday night, followed by the second leg against Qarabag on Tuesday 24 February.
Howe: Great day, but ties aren’t dead yet.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe:
“I want to give credit to the team because they played really well in the first half. It was the best I’ve played in a long time. They pressed really well and the attitude of the players who won the ball back high up was great.”
“Today is a great day for us. We know the draw is not over, but we have put ourselves in a great position. We have to be professional in every moment and we know how football can change.”
“We just won three games in a blink of an eye, but it’s a completely different feeling. We respect every opponent and we have to do well in the next games.”
On Gordon: “He was really good in the first half. He started pressing. A lot of his goals came from his attitude off the ball. His first goal was a key moment and a really great finish. He could have done more, but he performed very well.”
On Woltemade, who played in midfield: “Nick was really good. Off the ball, he was great. Tactically he understood what was required of him. He was very reliable in possession. I think he didn’t give the ball away. He was very good in some sticky situations. He also has the creative flair that we need in that position.”
