Kieran Trippier, Anthony Gordon react to 'strange' penalty bust-up in big Newcastle victory - 'Emotions are high'

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Anthony Gordon scored four first-half goals as Newcastle took a huge step towards qualifying for the UEFA Champions League last 16 with a 6-1 win against Qarabag in Baku. Gordon had already scored a hat-trick when he took on penalty responsibilities to score Newcastle's fifth goal of the opening period. As the players walked off at the break, he was involved in an altercation with Kieran Trippier.

Gordon and Trippier bicker in 'strange' half-time incident

Video credit: TNT Sports

Anthony Gordon struck four times to propel Newcastle United to a resounding 6-1 victory over Qarabag in Baku that all-but sealed their progress to the UEFA Champions League last 16 - but the forward was involved in a heated confrontation with team-mate Kieran Trippier at half-time.

Gordon became the first Newcastle player since Alan Shearer to score a hat-trick in the competition.

However, the England international was determined to add to his tally after being brought down inside the box by Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski in first-half stoppage time.

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As Gordon confidently dispatched his second spot-kick of the evening, there appeared very little friction among the Newcastle players as they celebrated extending the lead over their hapless Azerbaijani opponents.

But as the players walked off for the half-time interval, captain Trippier appeared to take issue with Gordon, and had to be separated by his team-mates.

Joe Willock and Joelinton both tried to calm the full-back down but Trippier was in no mood to control his emotions.

WATCH: Gordon nets his FOURTH goal in wild first-half

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Trippier and Gordon had made up by the final whistle and the pair made light of the incident during a joint interview with TNT Sports' Jules Breach shortly after full-time.

Tripper said: "Gordy had scored a hat-trick and I think the players are [wondering] why he needs to take a penalty. But also, he's our penalty taker so he wants to score goals, as everybody else does.

"Ultimately, he's our penalty taker. Listen, in football, emotions are high on the pitch at times. It is what it is. He scored four goals, he was unbelievable today and now we move on."

'Emotions are high' - Trippier and Gordon explain half-time incident

Video credit: TNT Sports

A smiling Gordon added: "I understand everyone's opinion because I want everyone to succeed. We're a team, we should be in it together. But I'm an attacker, I'm the penalty taker so I want to score as many goals as I possibly can.

"I understood everyone's opinion and emotions do get high but he's one of my closest team-mates. He has been since I joined the club, he's done so much for me so he's alright."

Trippier replied: "Boxing gloves in training!"

Reflecting on the incident at the time, Shay Given told TNT Sports: "It's a strange one to see as you're winning a Champions League knockout game 5-0 at half-time.

"You'd think there would be no disputes and they'd be high-fiving each other, but Trips wanted someone else to take the penalty because Gordon had already scored a hat-trick... to try and share the goals around.

Trippier showed 'leadership' with half-time Gordon spat, says Given

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"Sometimes, you can fall out on the pitch. Myself and Macca [Steve McManaman] have both done it, where we've been on the pitch and we've had a go at each other, but when the dust settles, they congratulated each other on a good performance. I don't mind falling out with each other on the pitch. It's how you react.

"It shows it hurts. Newcastle were 5-0 up, and he [Trippier] was still having a go at people. You need that leadership in the dressing room, as well."

McManaman added: "Trippier fobs Willock off and then Joelinton. The captain clearly wasn't happy."

Gordon had already surpassed Shearer as Newcastle's all-time Champions League top scorer in one season with his opening strike.

After scoring a further three goals, only Kylian Mbappe (14) has more goal involvements in this season's Champions League than Gordon's 12 (10 goals, two assists).

Gordon nets first senior hat-trick 11 seconds after restart as Newcastle run riot

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But that wasn't enough to spare him the wrath of Trippier, who appeared to want someone else to take the second penalty.

Ally McCoist, speaking in the TNT Sports commentary booth, said: "We don't really know what it's about. But it's a needless argument, because just about everything has gone right in those first 45 minutes for Newcastle.

"It's not a good look but, if I'm Anthony Gordon and I've scored a hat-trick, all the king's army couldn't take that ball off me for the fourth goal.

"I don't know whether his captain has told him he wants someone else to take it or whatever it may be. I imagine we'll find out. What wasn't up for debate was the way he dispatched both penalties."

Gordon is only the second player in Champions League history to score four goals in the first half of a game, after Luiz Adriano for Shakhtar Donetsk against BATE Borisov in October 2014.

The 24-year-old was replaced by William Osula on 68 minutes, departing the pitch only after acknowledging Trippier on the sidelines, suggesting all had been forgiven.

Highlights: Glittering Gordon grabs four as Newcastle hit Qarabag for SIX

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"That's nice little moment," McCoist commented. "The two men involved have a cuddle, and it's all now forgotten about. That's what it's all about."

Newcastle's journey of 2,529 miles to Qarabag was the longest-ever distance travelled by an English team for a Champions League away match - and it was worth every minute.

Gordon's form in Europe is in sharp contrast to his fortunes in the Premier League. His 10 goals in the competition is more than the nine he has managed in 54 top-flight games since the start of the 2024/25 season.

Newcastle are set to play either Chelsea or Barcelona in the last 16, unless Qarabag pull off a miraculous turnaround in the second leg at St James' Park next Tuesday.

The Tynesiders overwhelmed their hosts with 16 first-half shots, 11 on target, in a blistering opening that included Malick Thiaw's header adding to Gordon's four-goal haul.

Howe insists 'tie is not dead' after Newcastle hammer Qarabag 6-1

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Elvin Cafarquliyev grabbed a consolation for the home side, but Jacob Murphy’s deflected second-half strike capped a comprehensive rout.

Eddie Howe told TNT Sports: "A tribute to the team today. We were really good in the first half. That's as good as we have played in a long time.

"We wanted to keep the momentum in the second half. The game changed and they played lower on the pitch which made it more difficult for us. Overall it's a great day for us. We know the tie isn't dead or over but we are in a great position."

On Gordon's display, Howe added: "He was really good in that first half. He started the press, a number of his goals came from his attitude off the ball. He could have had more, but a very good display."

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