'I've got no issue': Alan Shearer gives his opinion on controversial penalty incident that overshadowed Newcastle Untied's big midweek win

If you'd looked at many of the headlines in the footballing world on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, you'd be forgiven for wondering what the score was between Qarabag FK and Newcastle United (it was 1-6, by the way).

That's because the headlines were dominated by an incident that took place in first-half stoppage time and bubbled over as the players walked off the pitch at half-time.

Having already secured his hat-trick, Anthony Gordon held onto the ball after Newcastle were awarded their second penalty of the game.

Kieran Trippier urged the Number 10 to give someone else the opportunity from the spot, but Gordon refused, which enraged the captain, who said his piece before the spot kick was taken and went back for more at half-time. It had all blown over before the second half got underway, and the two were laughing and joking about it at full-time, but still, it dominated the headlines.

Alan Shearer sees both sides of the argument

Naturally, Alan Shearer had something to say on the incident on The Rest Is Football, after all, he was no stranger to those circumstances having told Paul Robinson where to go when he was given the chance to score from the spot during the famous 8-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday when Big Al scored five goals.

“I think there are really big positives to take from that incident. All moments like that get blown out of all proportion, a very minor issue. In fact, I think it was a few things to comment on.

“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 tying to think of the team and trying to lead in his way and be the inspiring leader that he is in every moment, so 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, and I think it showed that all the players care and we want to do well.”

We have no problem with the players showing passion in the right way

If Anthony Gordon had missed that second spot kick, then it may have grown into a bigger issue, but it was tucked away confidently, so there was no real drama.

At the end of the day, everyone knows that Gordon is the designated penalty taker, and he was having his best game of the season; we don't blame him at all for wanting to keep the responsibility.

Our takeaway from the whole incident is that it shows our players care enough to fight about what's right for the team in their eyes, but it also shows that they have that mean streak in them that competitive people need. As long as they aren't going full Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer, then they can crack on.