Newcastle

SHOCKING: Why Newcastle United Star Got enmotional About Everton return

Published

2 months ago

October 4, 2024

Matthew

Eddie Howe hopes Anthony Gordon can cut out the noise and “play his game” on his return to Everton.

Gordon makes his third – and final – visit to Goodison Park since joining Newcastle United in January 2023 for £45million and will start as the central striker tomorrow night with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson unavailable, while Will Osula isn’t yet deemed Premier League ready.

The 23-year-old has received a hostile reception from the home crowd on his two previous encounters, first coming on a substitute in a 4-1 win for the Magpies in April last year before starting in a 3-0 defeat in December.

This time around, Howe hopes Gordon – last season’s Player of the Year – is better equipped to deal with what is to come on Merseyside.

“Having been back there twice, I think each time will get slightly easier for Anthony but still he’ll be emotional,” said the United boss. “He’s human and there will be lots of things going through him but as long as he focuses on himself.

“He was excellent last week when he led the line for us, really good on and off the ball. You need your focal point in attack to deliver certain aspects that help the team so all I ask is that he does that tomorrow.”

Asked if it could have the opposite affect and galvanise Gordon, Howe replied: “It’s difficult to predict. He’s a human being and will be emotional going into the game, all players will be emotional going into the game because they’re representing the football club and they’re in a heightened state of emotion in that moment when we’re playing.

The trip to Goodison Park is likely to be their last ever with the Toffees due to move to Bramley-Moore Dock ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

“Whenever you go there it’s a difficult game. The ground, it is the last time I think we’ll visit there, has gone that feel that the fans are involved in the game right from the off, they’re very close to the pitch.

“How you start the game and impose yourself is hugely important so we want to be really positive in our approach but we have to learn lessons from the Fulham game. We did for the Manchester City game but it is still relevant in my mind that we need to sure we’re the Manchester City team.”