'Never been in doubt': Anthony Gordon admits he's been planning his goal celebration for a while for huge reason

Anthony Gordon quickly turned from villain to hero in the eyes of Newcastle United fans on Saturday after a series of lacklustre performances.

A lot of Newcastle fans, and we very much include ourselves in this, have been quick to point the fickle finger of fate at Anthony Gordon this season for some below-par performances combined with absolutely terrible body language.

The feeling has been that last season's player of the year has had his head turned by Liverpool after a brief dalliance with a move to his boyhood club in the summer and has lost focus at Newcastle.

Whatever the real reason for his slow start to the season, it definitely seems like that's behind him now as he was outstanding today against Manchester City and it was no real surprise that it was he who grabbed the point for Newcastle by winning and then scoring the penalty.

Anthony Gordon claims he has never been unsettled at Newcastle

Speaking to NUFC TV after the game Gordon was asked if kissing the badge as his celebration was a message to the fans after reports that he's been unsettled at the club.

"No, I haven't been (unsettled). It's quite hard as a player because you can't really come out and say anything. You just have to get on with stuff and focus on what's important, but fans can be guided by journalists which is hard.

"It's just never been in doubt here since I came back for the first day of pre-season. So it's been quite hard for me. I understand that people have that perception at the minute, so that celebration was just to clarify that's not the case.

"I've been planning that celebration for a while but I haven't scored. I've been planning to give that message for a while."

Anthony Gordon acknowledged the amazing Wor Flags display in his honour

During the interview, Gordon spoke about how he had a feeling the team would put in a good performance against Man City calling the Fulham result a wake up call and noting how everyone seemed more up for it in training.

He also spoke about the Wor Flags display in his honour saying that the fans will never understand how much it means to him and that he was almost in tears on the pitch.

Everything seems to have come together this week to create the perfect storm which has got Anthony Gordon back to his best. Long may it continue.