ANTHONY GORDON SETS NEW NEWCASTLE RECORD FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GOAL INVOLVEMENTS
Anthony Gordon surpassed Alan Shearer’s goal involvement record as Newcastle cruised to a 3-0 Champions League win over PSV.
Anthony Gordon hasn’t scored from open play in the Premier League in over a year—but in Europe, he’s tearing it up.
When he found the net in Newcastle’s 3-0 win over PSV on Wednesday, Gordon actually leapfrogged a club legend. He grabbed Newcastle’s second, poking the ball home after a defensive slip. That goal didn’t just help Newcastle cruise—it pushed Gordon ahead of Alan Shearer in the club’s Champions League record books.
Shearer, who once set Newcastle’s high mark for goal contributions in a single Champions League season (seven, back in 2002/03), now has Gordon for company as the club’s top scorer in the competition with six goals. But here’s the thing: Gordon has also added two assists this season, giving him eight goal involvements—a new high for Newcastle in the Champions League.
It’s wild, honestly. He’s been brilliant in Europe, but in domestic play? It’s a different story. Gordon’s only managed two Premier League goals this season in 17 matches, both penalties—one against Burnley, one against Spurs in early December. He chipped in with another goal in the FA Cup, but his last open-play league goal? That was all the way back on January 15, 2025, against Wolves. So, yeah, it’s been over a year. He really needs to rediscover that touch in the Premier League.
Right now, though, everyone’s talking about his Champions League form. Newcastle strolled to a 3-0 win, and Gordon’s European numbers just keep climbing.
And it’s not just the combined goals and assists—he’s closing in on another Shearer record. Gordon now has the joint-most goals by any Newcastle player in a single Champions League season. That tap-in against PSV was number six, matching Shearer’s tally from 23 years ago. One more, and he stands alone. His next chance? Paris Saint-Germain on January 28.
Gordon’s six goals also put him joint third in this season’s Champions League top scorer race, level with Erling Haaland and Victor Osimhen. Only Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe have more.
After the PSV match, manager Eddie Howe singled Gordon out for praise. Howe told TNT Sports, “Really good performance from us. A difficult opponent, tactically, they are tough to play against. We were rewarded with some really good goals today. Really good night for Yoane Wiss, and I am really pleased for him. In part, he came to this club for nights like today. The players embraced the challenge, and I thought it was the best individual performances from a lot of the players for a while. A lot of the players have excelled in this competition this year, and Anthony Gordon is one of those.”
Not everything went Newcastle’s way, though. Captain Bruno Guimaraes had to come off injured in the first half. If he misses the next run of games—Aston Villa, PSG, Liverpool, Manchester City—others will have to step up.
And if Gordon can bring some of that European magic back to the Premier League, Newcastle could really use it.
TOTTENHAM CONFIRM MANAGER POSITION FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST ATLETICO MADRID
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor will remain in charge for the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid this Tuesday.
Tottenham has put an end to the speculation about Igor Tudor’s future by confirming he will stay on as head coach for their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Sky Sports reports Tudor will lead the pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of this crucial fixture.
Pressure on Tudor had been mounting following a rocky start at Tottenham. There were murmurs he might be sacked after a series of disappointing results, but the late 1-1 draw against Liverpool seems to have provided a reprieve. Before that, the assumption was that one more loss, especially away at Anfield, could cost him his job. Confirming Tudor’s role for the Atletico clash signals the club is sticking with him for now, at least through the next big challenge.
That challenge is significant. Spurs are trailing 5-2 on aggregate after the first leg against Atletico, a match that drew sharp criticism for Tottenham’s performance. The game was difficult to watch, not only because of the scoreline but also because of a striking moment when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was taken off just 17 minutes in, a rare and unsettling decision that highlighted deeper issues.
For Tudor, Tuesday’s match is both a test and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. The confirmation of his position brings mixed feelings among fans. There’s a recognition that stability is important during such a hectic part of the season, yet lingering doubts remain after some shaky displays.
Fans watched the first leg against Atletico with a sense of disbelief. Conceding five goals and that early goalkeeper substitution raised legitimate questions about the team’s preparation and tactical choices. That substitution felt emblematic of a chaotic night, reflecting larger problems.
The gritty draw with Liverpool, though, offered a glimpse of fighting spirit and earned some credit for resilience, even if the overall form is inconsistent. Moments like that can offer managers breathing room in tough times.
Still, supporters crave clarity and a long-term vision. Tottenham has shifted its direction multiple times in recent years, and the fans want a coherent plan moving forward. Tudor now has a clear chance to reinforce his authority and bring some order against a tough Atletico side.
Even if overcoming the deficit proves elusive, Spurs supporters will be looking for signs of organisation, determination, and a stronger team identity. That might be the most valuable takeaway from the clash.
UCL DRAW 2026 LAST 16: PREMIER LEAGUE GIANTS FACE BRUTAL DRAW IN QUEST FOR EUROPEAN GLORY 2026
The Champions League draw is out! Read the full list of fixtures, including Man City vs Real Madrid and Newcastle’s trip to Barcelona.
Manchester City will go head-to-head with Real Madrid in what’s easily the standout fixture of this season’s Champions League round of 16.
UEFA stuck to the same process as last year’s new format, running the draws for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals all on the same day in Nyon, Switzerland.
There’s still plenty of English interest left in the competition. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Man City all made it through, which pretty much guarantees the Premier League an extra Champions League spot next season thanks to the UEFA coefficient.
With the seeding and pairing rules, each of the 16 teams already knew they’d be facing one of just two possible opponents in the next round.
Liverpool and Tottenham ended up in the same section of the bracket. No surprise, since they finished third and fourth in their groups.
Arsenal, who topped their group, drew Bayern Munich. Manchester City got Sporting Lisbon, and Chelsea lined up against Barcelona.
After Newcastle’s play-off win over Qarabag, they were slotted into their section of the bracket.
Now that the draw’s done, here’s what’s coming up: Chelsea will take on defending champions PSG, and Newcastle will get Barcelona.
Real Madrid against Manchester City is the pick of the bunch, two giants going toe-to-toe.
Liverpool will face Galatasaray, while Tottenham will meet Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are set to play either Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta – a tricky tie either way.
Here’s the full Champions League last 16 draw for 2025/26:
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
And for the Europa League quarter-finals:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona vs Tottenham/Atletico Madrid
Bodø/Glimt/Sporting vs Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
The Europa League semi-finals shape up like this:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea/Galatasaray/Liverpool vs Real Madrid/Manchester City/Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona/Tottenham/Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt/Sporting/Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
As for the dates, here’s what you need to know:
Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
Semi-finals: April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026
Final: May 30, 2026, in Budapest
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