Everton vs Newcastle: Gordon's return to form is bad news for relegation-threatened Toffees

 

On Saturday Anthony Gordon will return to the club where he spent 11 formative years, first as a youth player and then as a first-teamer. He should not expect a warm reception. 

 

Everton fans remain unhappy with the manner in which Gordon left the club in January 2023, although the £40m Everton received from Newcastle United was welcome during a period of acute financial difficulty. 

 

Gordon was linked with another move in the summer just gone. Liverpool spent much of the window sniffing around the forward, who grew up supporting the Reds. There was talk of a £75m deal to help Newcastle meet the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, with Joe Gomez in line to join the Magpies in a related £45m transfer. In the end, though, both players stayed put.  

 

 

The England international did not comment publicly on the rumours, but various reports stated he was keen on the move and had had his head turned by Liverpool. That may have played a part in his slow start to the season, although Eddie Howe was quick to cite fitness and his involvement at Euro 2024 as more relevant factors. 

 

It now looks like the questions over Gordon's future are about to be definitively answered. The 23-year-old is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract at St James’ Park, committing his future to the club until 2030.  

 

That is welcome news for Newcastle, who endured a largely frustrating summer. Although they succeeded in keeping hold of Gordon, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle did not improve their starting XI and failed to land their top transfer target, Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. Tying Gordon down for a few years would represent a step in the right direction for the under-fire sporting director Paul Mitchell. 

 

 

It will also leave Gordon free to focus on football. He showed signs of being back to his best against Manchester City last weekend, winning and converting the penalty that earned Newcastle a point. 

 

In the absence of Alexander Isak, Gordon deputised up front. It was not the first time he has been used in a central role, where his speed in behind and ability to press opposition centre-backs make him a difficult opponent. 

 

The Premier League season is just six games old but Gordon has already played in all three attacking positions in Howe's favoured 4-3-3 formation. Before the draw with City, Gordon had been moved over to the right to accommodate the in-form Harvey Barnes on the left. He did not look entirely comfortable on that side of the pitch, but Howe values his ability to fill in right across the frontline. 

 

 

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"Anthony's best years are ahead of him," Howe said this week. "He proved again [against Manchester City] how good he is and how good he can be. I still feel there is more to come.

 

"He also has the versatility. That ability to play different attacking roles can only serve us well with the small squad that we have, so I was delighted with him. I was delighted with the love that he got from the supporters. That feeling and bond is so important so a really big thank you to them for that."

 

After the positive news that his new contract is edging closer, Newcastle supporters will once again make their feelings for Gordon known at Goodison Park on Saturday. The home fans may well follow suit.

Everton vs Newcastle: Gordon's return to form is bad news for relegation-threatened Toffees