Anthony Gordon Makes Champions League History as Newcastle Sweep Aside Qarabag

• Gordon becomes first player to score four first half goals in a Champions League knockout match
• Newcastle take commanding 6-1 win in playoff first leg in Azerbaijan
• Magpies close in on last sixteen tie with Barcelona or Chelsea

Anthony Gordon produced a performance for the ages as Newcastle United stormed to a 6-1 victory over FK Qarabag in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie, with the England forward writing himself into the competition’s record books.

Gordon became just the second player to score four goals in the first half of a Champions League match and the first to achieve the feat in the knockout stage. His extraordinary display in Baku also delivered the fastest hat trick by an Englishman in the competition and marked the first senior hat trick of his career.

The 24 year-old opened the scoring inside three minutes before Malick Thiaw doubled Newcastle’s advantage moments later. Gordon then converted a penalty on the half-hour mark and rounded the goalkeeper barely a minute later to complete his hat trick. In the first half stoppage time, he added a fourth from the spot to cap a devastating 45 minutes for Eddie Howe’s side.

Gordon’s tally in the Champions League this season now stands at 10, surpassed among English players only by Harry Kane. He has also overtaken Alan Shearer’s long standing club record of six goals in a single European Cup campaign, underlining his growing influence on the biggest stage.

Newcastle eased off after the interval and Gordon was unable to extend his personal haul. Elvin Cafarquliyev pulled one back for Qarabag, who have enjoyed a remarkable run to reach this stage of the competition. However, Jacob Murphy’s deflected strike restored the four goal cushion and sealed a historic night for the visitors.

It was the first time Newcastle have scored six goals in European competition, achieved in their 149th continental appearance. The result leaves them on the brink of the last sixteen, where a meeting with either Barcelona or Chelsea now appears likely.

Howe’s team will host the return leg at St James’ Park next Tuesday, carrying a commanding advantage and a renewed sense of belief following one of the most memorable performances in the club’s modern European history.