Anthony Gordon hit out at Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney for 'nonsense' comments about Barcelona in midweek
Anthony Gordon started on the bench for Newcastle United against Barcelona on Tuesday night after missing training through illness.
To slightly play devil's advocate, the messaging Alan Shearer on Wayne Rooney was working off as pundits on Amazon Prime Video, suggested that Anthony Gordon had trained with the team on Tuesday morning and took the decision to sit out the match.
Were that the case, then their comments may have been more justified, with both of the ex-professionals claiming they would have played on through the sickness no matter what it takes.
Eddie Howe made a point during his press conference on Friday to clear up that it was his decision to start Gordon from the bench.
Anthony Gordon set the record straight about Tuesday's illness drama
Anthony Gordon took his opportunity to set the record straight yesterday, too. Speaking to Match of the Day after scoring the winning goal against Chelsea, Gordon hit out at the claims he 'didn't want' to play on Tuesday.
"Usually I don’t like to clear stuff up because I don’t care too much but this one does need clearing up because it was just nonsense.
"I didn’t see but the stuff that the media guy told me was complete and utter stupidity. I was in bed for three days, missed training. I turned up on the day of the game, ready to start, I thought I was going to start.
"When I got to the stadium the manager told me I wasn’t playing which I didn’t like very much but that’s his decision and the team played well.
"Saying I didn’t want to play in the biggest game of my career is absolute nonsense.
"I think Rooney said I went past and didn’t shake their hands and went into the changing room. I didn’t. I got changed by myself in a changing room the size of this. It was just me and a sink.
"So, complete nonsense. I think they need to do better at what they are doing."
Anthony Gordon answered his critics on the pitch at Chelsea
There was certainly no doubting Gordon's commitment yesterday as the forward put in an epic shift for Newcastle, covering every blade of grass and bagging the winner for the Toon.
We've questioned Anthony Gordon's commitment a few times this season, but not yesterday, and we certainly believe his and Eddie Howe's version of events of what happened on Tuesday.
Sandro Tonali is the latest to be hit with the illness that has taken down several first-team players over the last couple of weeks, but hopefully, he'll recover in time to take part in the massive game in Barcelona on Wednesday night.
