Newcastle fans explode at ‘totally embarrassing’ Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier bust-up: ‘What is he thinking?’
Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier were at the centre of attention as Newcastle destroyed Qarabag with a 6-1 win on Wednesday.
The former netted four of the Magpies’ five goals during an eye-catching first half in Baku, but he was involved in an altercation in public while leaving the pitch after the half-time whistle.
The TNT Sports cameras caught Gordon and Trippier remonstrating with each other while leaving the pitch, as the latter appeared to be frustrated over his team’s second penalty.
Gordon already had a hat-trick when the Magpies were awarded their second spot kick of the evening, but that didn’t stop the winger from stepping up to convert for his fourth goal, despite his teammate’s fury.
- Read More: Qarabag vs Newcastle ref watch: Nick Woltemade red card incident among three Espen Eskas errors
Newcastle fans split over Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon spat
Trippier made his feelings clear towards Gordon as the pair headed towards the dressing room at the half-time interval, but the views of the fanbase have been much more unclear.
Several supporters have sided with Gordon in the aftermath of the incident, and feel that, as the regular penalty taker, there should have been no issues with him taking the kick.
However, there are also plenty of fans who have been keen to stress that Nick Woltemade could have been given the penalty to try and boost his confidence, especially given that Gordon already had his hat-trick.
Newcastle supporters took to X to argue over the incident, and it was clear to see the differing opinions from within the fanbase.
One fan suggested that Trippier had “every right to be upset” with Gordon taking the penalty, while another suggested that the attacker has been “woeful all season and is refusing to help others out.”
However, there was also many people who thought that Trippier had no need to spark the confrontation, with one fan writing: “honestly what is Trippier thinking?”
- @JordanHinds7: “Totally embarrassing and unnecessary from Trippier btw.”
- @ryan_pooley: “I’d be ripping trippier off at half time, embarrassing.”
- @liosi: “Trippier needs to grow up, digging him out for taking the 4th pen.”
Nick Woltemade shone in withdrawn role
Woltemade is being heavily linked with a Newcastle exit at the moment, and he went without a goal yet again during Wednesday’s victory.
The 24-year-old began his time on Tyneside with five goals from his first six starts in all competitions, but that prolific run of form has since become a distant memory.
The frontman has struggled for form in front of goal of late, and Howe opted to drop him deeper into an attacking midfield role for the trip to Qarabag, and it worked to perfection.
Woltemade showed plenty of nice touches in his withdrawn role, as his technique and eye for a pass were evident time and again.
At the same time, Newcastle were devastating going forward, as their opponents simply couldn’t live with the pace of Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga.
Howe undoubtedly won’t be enjoying seeing his first-choice striker struggling in front of goal, but at the moment, playing Woltemade deeper could be the perfect solution to help rebuild his confidence.