Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle United result - Anthony Gordon scores four in first half to leave Eddie Howe's side on course for UEFA Champions League last 16

Goals from Malick Thiaw and Jacob Murphy supplemented Anthony Gordon’s record-matching display as Newcastle United ran riot in Azerbaijan.

The sides will meet at St James' Park next week for the second-leg of the tie with Eddie Howe’s side holding a huge lead.

Newcastle raced into an early lead after just two minutes when Dan Burn put Gordon in on goal and he coolly slotted the opener.

One quickly became two after Thiaw leapt highest from a set-piece to guide his header into the far corner six minutes later.

The Magpies’ rampant display continued in the 32nd minute after VAR deemed a Qarabag defender blocked a shot with his arm.

Gordon stepped up and fired the ball into the net before completing his hat-trick only a minute later.

Some dire defending from the hosts allowed Gordon to pinch the ball off the last man back before rounding goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski.

The goals did not end there for the first half after Gordon again capitalised on a sloppy back-pass and raced in on goal where Kochalski brought him down in the box.

After a short debate over who would take the spot-kick, Gordon stepped up to score and seal his fourth of the half.

In the second half, Qarabag finally responded to the visitors’ onslaught thought Elvin Cafarguliyev’s close-range strike, which was initially ruled out for offside before being overturned by VAR.

However, Qarabag’s joy was short-lived as Murphy cut inside and whipped a shot that took a deflection before flying into the back of the net after 72 minutes.

Newcastle host Man City next in the Premier League before next Tuesday's second leg.

The Englishman bagged his first-ever Champions League goal and for his boyhood club to round-off a fantastic night for the club and the winger in Azerbaijan.

He has been speaking to TNT Sports about what the moment meant to him.

The Newcastle United captain and record-breaking goalscorer have been speaking to TNT Sports after their thumping win tonight and have made up since a 'squabble' at half-time.

Trippier said: "All the players are waiting to take a penalty, but also, Gordon's our penalty taker. He wants to score goals, as everybody else does, but ultimately, he's our penalty taker, and listen, football, emotions are high on the pitch of the times, but, you know, it is what it is. He's scored four goals and was unbelievable today. Now we move on."

Gordon added: "I understand everyone's opinion, because I want everyone to succeed with a team. We should be in it together, but I'm an attacker. I am the penalty taker, so I want to score as many goals as I possibly can. But I understood everyone's opinion and emotions do get high, but Trippier is one of my closest teammates. He has been, since I joined the club, he's done so much for me."

On becoming the first Newcastle player to score four goals in a single European match, Gordon said: "I just want to score. I want to win games. Ultimately, we've won the game convincingly. I'd say it was our best performance this season. So that's more important than the goals.

"I'm so proud of everyone because football's a highly emotional place sometimes, and it's very fickle. People get so down and so up on you, depending on your form to go from what we went through, to be in a position we are in now. It's really important, and it shows the character we have."

The Newcastle boss has been speaking to TNT Sports after the game and despite praising his side's display - he has warned his players that the tie isn't over yet.

He said: "That's as good as we played in a long time, I thought we were really good on our press. The attitude of the players to regain the ball high was brilliant. A lot of good counterattacks from that, and also some really good passages of incisive progressive football, which is the team that we want to be.

"We've got to be professional in every moment. We know how football can change. I mean, we've just seen that we've won three games in the blink of an eye, and the feeling's very different, but we respect every opponent and we have to be very good in the next game."

On Gordon, Howe added: "He was really, really good in that first half. He started the press and a number of his goals came from his attitude on off the ball. I'm really pleased with his first goal as well, because that was a key moment. It was a really good finish. He could have had more. But a very good display.

"It's been a really good return the last three games. I think we've had really tough games, navigated them really well, and I think we've shown that we were a good team. So really happy with where we're at the moment."

Amid a number of record being shattered by the Magpies this evening, there is yet another stat for the club and its fans to be proud of.

And that is that! Job done on the night for Howe's side and you'd imagine job done for the tie as a whole.

Newcastle were utterly dominant in a five-star first-half display and managed to stave off any second-half fightback from Qarabag after the break.

Newcastle fans can start dreaming of the last-16 draw already and who they might face. If they play like they did tonight, they could cause problems for any team in Europe.

Stay tuned for all the post-match reaction and interviews.

A Newcastle set-piece comes in from the right and the inital header is well-saved by the Qarabag keeper.

Osula follows-up but doesn't get everything behind his shot which allows Kochalski to get down and palm away the shot.

Three minutes added on.

From a corner, the hosts have a shot at a free header but the effort is scuffed. The Magpies' clearance only goes as far as Jankovic outside the box.

He opens up his body and whips an effort for the far corner but it goes the wrong side of the post.

The hosts have managed a spell of possession in the last five minutes but the Newcastle defense has remained resolute.

In fact, the English side's defence is looking fairly comfortable.

The German - who is reportedly 'unhappy' with his game time bundled his way into the box but, after being stood up by a defender, he failed to get a shot away and Qarabag clear.

The Magpie defender drags his man down by almost hitting him in the face - a bizarre tackle - and he enters the book.

Trippier is then removed for Joelinton.

After a spell from Qarabag that gave the visitors something to worry about, Howe's side have wrestled back control and, after scoring their sixth of the evening, are sitting more comfortable than ever.

A few empty seats around the stadium are beginning to show and the Magpies are starting to slow things down themselves.

A super goal from the Englishman has sealed this tie for good as that should end the Qarabag fight back.

The winger cuts inside and looks to whip a shot with his left-foot for the far corner but it takes a deflection on its way through to give Kochalski no chance as it flies past him into the net.

The Newcastle pair weren't the happiest at the break despite a record-breaking first-half display.

Trippier gave Gordon a hug as the latter left the field - maybe all is well, that ends well.

I take it back, Willock will not be continuing!

He is among those taken off - which includes Gordon and Elanga.

Osula, Ramsey and Murphy come on in their place.

The hosts might've needed to fall five behind before they woke up and they are now showing more life and reasons as to how they reached the play-offs.

Willock goes down following a challenge by Jankovic but he gets to his feet and will continue after receiving some treatment.

Tonali wins a free-kick in a dangerous area. The ball comes in and the German striker meets it with his head but his effort loops over the ball and onto the roof of the net.

Newcastle are choosing to sit back now and see out the next ten minutes without conceding another.

They still hold a massive advantage but they are choosing to be smart and will not want to give the hosts anymore of a foothold in this tie.

VAR overturns the decision and the goal is given! The full-back gets on the end of a training ground move and smashes his effort hard and low from a tight angle to find the back of the net.

Pope shouldn't be beaten at that angle but he is and dare I say - game on?

TNT Sports co-commentator Ally McCoist added: "I think Nick Pope has got to do better. We knew it was going to be tight. He just smashes it across the face of the goal, but Pope can't let that go through his arm and body."

Jafarquilyev - the left back - has put the ball in the net but offside has been given.