Bruno Guimaraes was exceptional off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur, but he is not the only Newcastle United player who can hold his head high.
The Magpies’ captain was introduced at half-time on Tuesday night, putting in the kind of performance that should have won them the game. Alas, Newcastle United could only draw with Spurs after conceding in the 95th minute.
Given the nature of Spurs’ equaliser, it feels like a defeat. Bruno could not hide his frustration after the game, and that sentiment was shared by a devastated Toon Army.
But as the dust settles on more dropped points, some positives can be taken. The aforementioned Bruno played very well, while Anthony Gordon offered major encouragement.
Great cameo from Anthony Gordon! Is the Magpies’ number 10 ‘back’?!
What a penalty by the way!
Anthony Gordon finally steps up for Newcastle United
For the second game in a row, Eddie Howe left Anthony Gordon on the bench against Spurs. Given his importance at St James’ Park, that was a bold call.
With Newcastle needing an injection of creativity, Howe turned to the 24-year-old in the 66th minute. The pressure was on Gordon to deliver, as he went in search of his first Premier League goal contribution since January.
He did not immediately get it, but Gordon deserves huge praise for his role in the Magpies’ opener. The winger showed blistering pace to get beyond Pedro Porro, before picking out Nick Woltemade in the box. His layoff was then converted by Bruno Guimaraes, who celebrated wildly in front of the Gallowgate.
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Gordon then got his big moment in the 86th minute, scoring a controversially awarded penalty.
It was his first Premier League goal of the season, and a first goal contribution in the league since 25th January. Before the penalty, his last was an assist in a 3-1 win over Southampton.
This will hopefully be a turning point for Gordon, whose inconsistency in domestic action has proven to be a major source of frustration.
Late HEARTBREAK 😫 Who was your Newcastle MOTM against Tottenham?👏🏻
Anthony Gordon needed to deliver amid Harvey Barnes’ form
Gordon’s impact against Spurs will prove to be a massive confidence boost, at a time when his place in the Newcastle United starting XI has come under threat.
While Gordon has been struggling on the left, Harvey Barnes has been flying. Going into the game against Spurs, Barnes boasted a record of four goal contributions in his last five games.
The £39million man has enjoyed a great run of form, so much so that you could argue he deserves to start consistently ahead of Gordon.
Now the former Everton man has hit back with a strong performance of his own, much to the delight of Eddie Howe who needs as many options as he can get amid a gruelling run of fixtures.