Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon is not shying away from a volatile first return to Everton - judging by his latest social media post. The January signing left Goodison Park in acrimonious circumstances after sections of the Toffees fanbase turned on the academy graduate.
Gordon enjoyed a breakthrough season last term under Frank Lampard, helping his boyhood club pull clear of relegation danger in the closing weeks. However, summer transfer interest from Chelsea and Newcastle was followed by an indifferent start to the season from the England youth international.
Gordon lost his place in the starting eleven in his final months on Merseyside, and was chased down the street by furious fans as he drove away from the stadium following a dismal home defeat to Southampton in January. Little over a fortnight later, the 22-year-old was unveiled as Newcastle's first mid-season arrival in a move worth up to £45 million.
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Gordon has made a slow start to life at St James' Park, having made just two starts in black-and-white so far. The forward was on the bench for Sunday's 6-1 demolition of Tottenham, and was denied a first Magpies goal in front of the Gallowgate End by Fraser Forster.
The thumping win means Gordon could have to settle for a spot on the bench again ahead of his first return to Goodison Park on Thursday night. Eddie Howe's side currently hold a six-point cushion in the race for Champions League football, and will be hoping to hold on to third spot with a seventh victory in their last eight fixtures.
Gordon can expected hostile atmosphere from the stands, but is looking forward to his next outing for the Magpies. The forward posted on social media on Monday a picture of himself at St James' Park with the caption 'see you Thursday'.
Howe recently stressed his confidence that Gordon will emerge as a 'top player' for Newcastle in the coming seasons. The former Everton favourite discussed the nature of his Goodison Park exit with the Magpies' matchday programme on Sunday, arguing much of what was written around the transfer was not true.
Asked if he had read anything about himself that was not true, Gordon replied: "Probably everything from the last year, I think! I don't blame the media because it can happen, and they can get fed from outside sources.
"But yeah, especially with how I got this move and stuff, a lot of that wasn't true. It was misconstrued.
"A lot of media stuff is not true and it's difficult at times being a player because you can't affect public opinion but you learn to block it out and it doesn't really affect me anymore."
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