From Underdog to Superstar: Anthony Gordon Shines Bright after European U21 Championship Victory

Having been with Everton since the age of 11, Anthony Gordon would have brought immense happiness to both his family and the supporters of the team based in the blue half of Merseyside, had he scored his first home goal in the black and white colors of Newcastle.

The 22-year-old had eagerly awaited the opportunity to score at St James' Park, which grabbed attention due to its significance, much like the headlines associated with a well-known individual known for missing crucial opportunities. Although Darwin Nunez would eventually have his moment, it was unfair for Gordon to end up on the losing team.

"It's truly difficult to digest," he lamented after Liverpool's remarkable 2-1 turnaround victory at St James' Park. "Experiencing it firsthand is crucial to grasp its enormity.

"This turn of events is truly disheartening considering the promising start we had and the strong position we were in. Securing the second goal proved elusive and in the face of a formidable opponent, it proved to be the decisive factor."

"We performed admirably and generated numerous opportunities, yet our precision fell short. This aspect will be the differentiating factor between us and the superior teams, and thus demands our utmost attention for enhancement. Subsequent to this improvement, we will possess the ability to triumph over any adversary. I executed my opportunity proficiently, resulting in an exhilarating sensation, although its significance has since become obsolete."

It was a bittersweet afternoon for Gordon. However, the excitement of Super Sunday has calmed down, and some perspective has now returned on Tyneside in anticipation of the upcoming match against Brighton, which will be broadcast live on We this Saturday.

Brighton and Hove Albion

Newcastle United

Saturday 2nd September 5:00pm

Kick off 5:30pm

Gareth Southgate, the England manager, was seated in the Milburn Stand. He was observing the last round of Premier League games before revealing the squad for the upcoming Euro qualifier versus Ukraine and the friendly against Scotland next month. The football pitch was filled with an abundance of talented English players.

Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, and Callum Wilson aimed to make a strong impression for the home team. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, and Harvey Elliott also played for Liverpool, which piqued Southgate's interest.

However, it was Gordon who truly stood out. His performance in the first 25 minutes was exceptional, and Alexander-Arnold was lucky to avoid being red-carded. Gordon's pass resulted in Virgil van Dijk's dismissal, and his goal was executed with great precision. It is unfortunate that Gordon was not a surprising addition to Southgate's September squad

Gordon's performance this weekend will be crucial in determining the outcome at the Amex Stadium, especially considering how successful West Ham was in exploiting James Milner, who played as a makeshift right-back, as a vulnerability in Brighton's 3-1 defeat last week.

The player we see now is completely distinct from the one who underperformed at Everton and Newcastle in the previous year. With a touch of patience and a dose of self-assurance, Newcastle suddenly displays glimpses of possessing a remarkable talent.

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Gordon scored on the final day of last season at Chelsea

Gary Neville stated on Sunday that Gordon initially struggled to settle in his new team. However, it seems that he has regained his confidence and is now performing well. Gordon scored his first goal for Newcastle in the last game of the previous season against Chelsea, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Despite his high transfer fee of £45m in January, he remains humble and acknowledges that he still has room for improvement.

Gordon is about to start his 50th Premier League match on the southern coast. With a speed of 35.7kph, he is only second to Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke (36.1) in terms of speed this season. Additionally, he is tied with Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew as the most fouled player in the league, with 10 fouls against him.

Gordon's remarkable dedication was evident during the European U21 Championships in Romania and Georgia, where he was honored as the tournament's player of the year.

"I'm delighted and over the moon," the winger said following England's victory over Spain in the final.

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Gordon took on greater responsibilities in the summer

"I believe I have performed well in this tournament, and I want to express the truth rather than resort to clichés. The fact is that my team-mates and the staff are responsible for me winning the coveted [player of the tournament] trophy."

Gordon made a significant impact during his first appearance for England U21s almost two years ago. This remarkable achievement occurred under the mentorship of Lee Carsley, who enjoyed a successful professional career, including close to 200 appearances for Everton. Carsley's enduring connection with the club adds further significance to Gordon's accomplishment.

Gordon owes a debt of gratitude to Carsley for his invaluable contribution to shaping his career. Currently, Gordon is actively establishing a strong connection with Howe, who has consistently demonstrated his remarkable aptitude in enhancing players' abilities, despite the limitations imposed by Newcastle's financial resources.

However, it is worth noting what Jamie Redknapp mentioned six months ago, that there is a slight reservation regarding Howe's track record. Throughout his tenure at Everton, Howe played in 65 games in the Premier League, achieving a total of seven goals and a mere three assists.

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Gordon notched two goals and earned the title of tournament's best player.

"I expect greater output considering the amount Newcastle has invested. I desire a larger number of assists and goals from him as he possesses that potential. There were instances during his time at Everton when he left me in awe, but now he needs to raise the bar significantly."

"If he's going to go right to the top level, he needs to be scoring more and providing more assists."

Gordon faced challenges during his time at Everton, playing for a team that frequently changed managers. In one instance last season, after a disappointing loss to Southampton, fans prevented him from leaving Goodison Park by blocking the street with a barricade. However, with the stability of Howe's management at St James' Park, Gordon can now fully concentrate on competing for a starting position in the first team.

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Gordon, who was 20 years old at the time, discussed his strengths and his ambition for increased attacking productivity in a November 2021 interview with my colleague Nick Wright.

I strive for relentless and consistent self-improvement and put in the hard work every day. My focus has been on personal growth as a player. My aspiration is to deliver consistent performances, and that's what I aim for.

Graeme Souness expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating that a 21-year-old who has only played 51 times in the Premier League is not yet proving himself to be outstanding. Although he acknowledged the player's dribbling skills and speed, he pointed out that he falls to the ground too easily. Souness concluded by questioning the justification for spending £40m on someone with limited experience, as it does not appear evident that he will become a top player based on his current performances.

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Gordon, undeterred by his critics, remained unfazed by Everton's stubbornness. Not only did he score in consecutive away matches against Leeds and Brentford, but he also successfully secured a transfer to Newcastle in January.

After the Magpies' 5-1 triumph against Aston Villa during the opening weekend, Andros Townsend shared with We: "During the first half of last season, I had the opportunity to play alongside him at Everton. It seemed that transitioning from being a local academy player to becoming a prominent winger who is expected to deliver, posed some challenges for him.

"He seemed to have lost the audacity he possessed as a young player when faced with one-on-one situations. Doubts started creeping in, like 'what if I fail? The supporters and the media will criticize me'."

With his summer experience with the U21s, he has regained his confidence and reverted back to the impressive Anthony Gordon who initially burst onto the scene. Howe desires a determined and attacking-minded Gordon to be part of his team.

Removing the fire from his belly would go against intuition, as evidenced in the latter part of the previous season. This was exemplified when the winger, who had come on as a substitute at Brentford, was subsequently substituted himself before the match concluded.

"His enthusiasm, aggression, and motivation levels are extremely high. He is incredibly determined to succeed and accomplish. It is one of his defining characteristics and one of his areas of strength.

"We admire and appreciate this aspect of his personality. Additionally, there are times when he must remain calm and level-headed."

Away from the field, Gordon displays a contrasting demeanor. He is reserved and spends his free time immersed in literature. It has been more than three years since he disclosed to me his engagement with Dr. Steve Peters' 'The Chimp Paradox.' This book offers a mind management program specifically designed to assist top athletes in overcoming their anxieties and performing with poise, concentration, and self-assurance.

Whenever a ball is at Gordon's feet, it is evident that he channels what Dr. Peters refers to as the 'good voice'. According to Howe, Gordon exhibits a distinct change in character as soon as he steps onto the field, embodying the qualities that are desired. Off the pitch, he serves as an exemplary individual, a role model, and a dedicated professional, striving to succeed by leading a righteous life.

On the field, you seek individuals who possess an unwavering desire to win and exert every effort to accomplish that goal.

Removing that aspect from him would significantly alter his abilities as a player. He simply requires some minor adjustments to improve his performance.

Newcastle's primary focus remains on defeating Brighton this Saturday, despite the anticipation building for the return of Champions League nights to Tyneside. Gordon appears rejuvenated and prepared to tackle any obstacle, as evident from his impressive performance during the initial weeks of the season.

Will Newcastle avoid making it three defeats from three games? Watch Brighton vs Newcastle live on We Premier League from 5pm on Saturday to find out.