Anthony Gordon's first St James' Park start in a black and white shirt ended in an abrupt half-time withdrawal after a frustrating opening 45 minutes for Newcastle United. The Magpies huffed and puffed but Southampton's rock-bottom-yet-resilient defence stood firm before Stuart Armstrong finished off a sweeping counter attack shortly before the interval.
Eddie Howe has shown he isn't afraid to get ruthless of late and Sunday was no different. Gordon, despite enjoying Newcastle's two biggest chances of the opening period, was hooked as Callum Wilson entered the fray and subsequently changed the game.
Howe's post-match press conference was understandably dominated by not only the second-half turnaround but also by the tough decision to withdraw Gordon, who has struggled to find his feet after a tumultuous Everton exit back in January.
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The £40m attacker made his feelings clear as he was substituted at Brentford earlier this month, refusing to be talked down by Howe as he stormed towards the away bench at the Gtech Community Stadium. This time around there was a calmer and more understanding reaction behind the scenes.
“His reaction to being taken off was very good - if there can be a very good reaction to it," Howe told reporters.
Gordon may have been the first-half scapegoat but most of Newcastle's opportunities came down the left. Something Howe acknowledged at full-time.
The Merseyside-born flyer displayed shades of Allan Saint-Maximin before his substitution, running at defenders with total confidence before ultimately trying to beat his man one too many times when a better avenue or option was open. Southampton's right-back Lyanco seemingly had the measure of him for most of the first-half.
However, there were also flashes of potential, brilliance and reasons to be optimistic. Newcastle's first chance saw Gordon pick the ball up, drive at the Southampton defence before firing a firm shot towards goal, unfortunately hitting the side netting.
Soon after the January addition was staring down Alex McCarthy in the Saints goal after latching onto a fine Alexander Isak through ball. A burst of pace saw Gordon evade the Southampton backline, a touch or two out of his feet before a low, driven shot with his left foot ricocheted off the post after beating the goalkeeper. Inches away from opening the scoring.
Howe was asked if that miss had affected Gordon's confidence towards the end of the first-half. "It's difficult for me to comment on Anthony's behalf. Did that miss affect him mentally? Possibly," was the response.
Howe elaborated by praising Gordon's 45-minute showing, explaining why the future is bright with him plying his trade on Tyneside. "It shouldn't have though in my opinion," Howe continued.
"The chance is of his own creation. His pace, his speed, the timing of his run. Some brilliant characteristics that will serve us really well in the future. I thought he was at the heart of all our good bits of play. It may sound like a contradiction but I thought he played really well but someone had to be sacrificed (for Callum Wilson)."
Howe is right. Yes, the main takeaway for Gordon after the 3-1 win was his withdrawal and the fact Newcastle won without him. But the 22-year-old has had limited game time since his big-money move, has been sacrificed one more than one occasion and is probably still trying to shake off the impact of such an ugly exit from his boyhood club.
With time, there is a player to be unlocked in Gordon. There is a reason Dan Ashworth was so keen to sign him, why Chelsea were sniffing around so intensely, and why Everton fans were initially so determined to keep him at Goodison Park.
Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy are proof that Howe can get the best out of players if you stick by them. To be fair to Newcastle supporters, they have offered Gordon their support at every turn.
Sunday was no different as the Gallowgate corner chanted his name on multiple occasions. With Champions League football almost secured, the pressure could be off the entire team before the end of the season. Gordon will benefit from that too.
Howe knows his club have signed a raw gem who can be polished and improved over time. "I think we've seen glimpses of unbelievable potential," the Newcastle boss added.
"I've got no doubts that he will be a top player for us. Sometimes these things take longer for everyone else to see but I've got no doubts."
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