Newcastle boss Howe urges Gordon to retain selfish streak

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe wants in-form striker Anthony Gordon to keep on being selfish following his Champions League exploits in Qarabag.

The 24-year-old England international scored four goals in Wednesday’s 6-1 play-off, first-leg victory in Baku to take his tally in this season’s competition to 10.

He rounded off his latest haul with a second penalty at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, having ignored Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier’s pleas to allow Nick Woltemade to take the spot-kick.

Howe, asked if he wanted Gordon to have a selfish streak, told reporters on Friday: “There were really big positives to take from that incident. Moments like that get blown out of all proportion, it was a very minor issue.

“It was great from Anthony that he’s got that strong enough resolve that he wants to score in every moment — and you’d want that from any player — so I’ve got no issue with him.

“I’ve got no issue with Kieran also, trying to think of the team and trying to lead in his way and be the aspiring leader that he is in every moment. I actually thought it was a real positive on all sides.

“The good thing is we scored the penalty, so that in itself is another positive. I think it showed that all the players care and we want to do well.”

Mid-table Premier League side Newcastle travel to second-placed Manchester City on Saturday, with the Magpies searching for their first win at the Etihad and a first in the league, in which they have lost on their last 16 visits to City, since September 2000.