Anthony Gordon delivered an absolutely sensational performance in Azerbaijan, netting four times as Newcastle United thrashed Qarabag 6-1 in their Champions League last 16 play-off first leg.
It was a night for the history books at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium, with the Magpies recording their biggest ever victory in European competition.
Gordon’s stunning display saw him surpass club legend Alan Shearer to become Newcastle’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League.
The Azerbaijani champions, who had previously held Chelsea to a draw and beaten Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt and Copenhagen, simply couldn’t cope with Newcastle’s relentless attacking threat.
Anthony Gordon scored four goals – including two penalties – in an incredible display for Newcastle
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Gordon wasted absolutely no time making his mark, finding the net just two minutes in after latching onto a brilliant through ball from centre-back Dan Burn and slotting coolly past Mateusz Kochalski.
Moments later, Malick Thiaw rose highest to head home from Kieran Trippier’s inviting cross, leaving Qarabag reeling.
The England forward then converted from the spot after Harvey Barnes’ effort struck Matheus Silva’s arm, with Kochalski getting a hand to it but unable to keep out the powerful strike.
Remarkably, Gordon grabbed his third straight from the restart, pouncing on Kevin Medina’s sloppy play before rounding the goalkeeper.
His fourth came from another penalty after Kochalski fouled him inside the box, though it appeared to cause friction with club captain Kieran Trippier.
Qarabag showed some fight after the interval, with defender Elvin Cafarquliyev pulling one back from a tight angle to give the home supporters something to cheer about.
Anthony Gordon has surpassed Alan Shearer’s Champions League goal tally for Newcastle
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But any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished when Jacob Murphy came off the bench and found the net with a deflected long-range effort.
That strike restored Newcastle’s commanding five-goal cushion and left the tie all but settled heading into next week’s second leg at St James’ Park.
The Azerbaijani side had been completely overwhelmed in that devastating first half and never truly recovered from the early onslaught.
Eddie Howe was over the moon with his side
Eddie Howe was absolutely delighted with what he witnessed, telling TNT Sports: “A tribute to the team today. We were really good in the first half. That’s as good as we have played in a long time.”
The Newcastle boss remained cautious despite the emphatic scoreline, adding: “We know the tie isn’t dead or over but we are in a great position.”
On his star man, Howe said: “He was really good in that first half. He started the press, a number of his goals came from his attitude off the ball. He could have had more, but a very good display.”