In Focus: Newcastle are starting to get a Toon out of Gordon

Anthony Gordon looks primed to make a significant impact at Newcastle this season.

The 22-year-old winger has looked revitalised since helping England win the recent European Under-21 Championship.

Gordon's career on Tyneside started slowly as he struggled for consistency following a £40million move from Everton — but his form at the beginning of 2023-24 bodes well for the rest of the campaign.

As Newcastle prepare to take on Brighton, we look at the talented youngster's progress under Eddie Howe's tutelage.

Young Lion roaring

Gordon was key to the Young Lions' success at this summer's Euros, scoring two goals and registering one assist.

The 22-year-old was an instrumental figure en route to his side's 1-0 victory over Spain in the final and was deservedly named UEFA's Player of the Tournament.

Reflecting on the England's success, he said: "I'm absolutely delighted.

"I feel I have had a good tournament, but me with the individual trophy is down to my team-mates and the staff. The squad is really unselfish.

"Six or seven of us might have won it, that shows how good we've been."

Goal threat

The confidence Gordon gained from his international triumph has carried over into the new Premier League season.

He already has a goal to his name after capitalising on Trent Alexander-Arnold's error against Liverpool last Sunday, as well as an assist to boot from Newcastle's 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa on the opening weekend.

No player in the Magpies' squad has created more big chances or completed more take-ons than the winger, while only Miguel Almiron has registered more shots so far this term.

Fierce determination

Newcastle boss Howe will undoubtedly be pleased with Gordon's start to the campaign.

There seemed to be some tension between the pair towards the end of last season — with the Magpies' No10 reacting badly to being substituted against Brentford in April.

But Howe has acknowledged that Gordon's temperament also adds to his game.

After the 2-1 win at the Gtech Stadium, he said: "We want to embrace that, we love that about him, but in certain moments he needs a cool head as well.

"His enthusiasm, aggression and motivation levels are really, really high. He's fiercely determined to do well and achieve. It is one of his hallmarks, it's one of his strengths."

Howe also backed the former Everton man to succeed at St James' Park, despite his inconsistency last season.

Back in May, the 45-year-old said: "We've seen glimpses of unbelievable potential. I've got no doubts — I've said this previously — that he'll be a top player for us.

"Sometimes these things take a little bit longer for everyone else to see, but I've got no doubts."

Upward trajectory

Howe's premonition may come true sooner than he anticipated, with Gordon already displaying clear improvement compared to last term.

The Liverpool native is averaging 1.84 chances created per 90 minutes compared to 0.8 in 2022-23, as well as 1.38 shots on target per 90 compared to 1.03.

Maintaining that upward trajectory over the coming weeks and months will now be the challenge for Gordon, starting with a difficult test against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.