Anthony Gordon wasted no time showing Newcastle United fans what they can expect from him after impressing off the bench in the 1-1 draw with West Ham. The £40m addition was introduced with little over 20 minutes to play at St James' Park as the home side chased a winner.
Gordon, whose arrival originally split opinion on Tyneside, was given a warm welcome from the home support as he replaced Allan Saint-Maximin following his return to the starting XI. Within minutes the new signing had fans off their seats as he tried to ignite a spark in Newcastle's attack.
The 21-year-old played Callum Wilson in behind the West Ham defence with an inch-perfect pass in the closing stages before Nayef Aguerd was forced to make a last-ditch challenge. All in all, it was an impressive cameo from Eddie Howe's latest attacking purchase.
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“I was very happy with him. Your first action here in St James’ Park is important," the Newcastle boss said at full-time. "His first pass was brilliant and he brought some life to us at a time when we needed it in the game.
“I’m disappointed for him that we couldn’t get him into the penalty area and see what he can do closer to goal, but he did really well when he came on.”
Gordon may have impressed with the ball at his feet but also showed fantastic determination without it in the dying embers of the 1-1 draw. With West Ham sensing a late counter attack on the cards, Jarrod Bowen was played in behind as the away side tried to pinch all three points at the death.
Gordon sprinted back with Bowen, eventually putting him off his stride by grabbing hold of his sleeve. Neither the referee or linesman spotted the incident, leaving the West Ham attacker furious.
That type of showing will leave Howe impressed - with his new-look Newcastle side 'not here to be popular'. The Magpies boss usually likes to wait before using new signings from the outset but Gordon can grasp the uncertainty over Saint-Maximin's position in the coming weeks.
The Frenchman started a league game for the first time since August on Saturday evening but failed to unlock the stubborn Hammers defence.
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