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Anthony Gordon twice golden from the spot as Newcastle down Union Saint-Gilloise

Nick Woltemade celebrated his first Champions League goal in Newcastle's win.
Nick Woltemade celebrated his first Champions League goal in Newcastle's win.Sportimage, Sportimage Ltd / Alamy / Profimedia

A ruthless Newcastle United secured their first league phase win of this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) by beating Royale Union SG 4-0, securing their first-ever away success in this competition under Eddie Howe in the process.

Analysis

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Union SG were unable to get a foothold in the game, and each time the visitors managed to build sustained pressure, they came away with goals.

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Match report

Newcastle had to survive an early scare in the Belgian capital when Kevin Rodríguez headed over when left unmarked from a corner, and cynics could argue it was a moment they needed to help them settle down and focus. Once the Toon overcame their early jitters, Royale Union struggled to cope with them, and their early pressure bore fruit inside the opening 20 minutes.

Anthony Elanga’s teasing delivery was only partially cleared by the Royale Union defence, falling favourably on the volley to Sandro Tonali on the edge of the area, whose goalbound effort was smartly flicked home by Nick Woltemade for his first-ever UCL goal. 

The defending Belgian champions responded well to falling behind, but beating Nick Pope was proving to be problematic, as Adem Zorgane twice found out in a matter of minutes when the Newcastle stopper produced a couple of routine saves to preserve the visitors’ advantage.

But the hosts truly hit the self-implode button shortly before HT, as a lazy Fedde Leysen challenge brought down the electric Elanga inside the area. It was another Anthony who assumed responsibility from the spot in Anthony Gordon, and he made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Kjell Scherpen the wrong way. 

Royale Union knew they had to do something special to get back into the game after the break, and it’s something they nearly found within three minutes of the restart. HT substitute Marc Giger found a inch-perfect pass in behind for Anan Khalaili, but as he ghosted in behind Dan Burn, he could only curl an effort wide of the far post.

The hosts had momentum on their side, but that was soon squashed when Leysen conceded his second penalty of the day, this time for handling inside the area. It was Gordon who stepped forward again to take the penalty, and the outcome was the same as he found the bottom right corner once more, despite the keeper correctly guessing the direction this time. 

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Sébastien Pocognoli’s men had no choice but to throw the kitchen sink at Newcastle in the closing stages, but it was an approach which ultimately saw them picked off, as Harvey Barnes rounded off a lightning-quick counter attack to add Newcastle’s fourth.

Howe’s men heeded Royale Union’s plea for mercy and took their foot off the gas after the fourth, perhaps owing to the fact they’re back in league action with a big game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Attention will quickly switch back to the Belgian Pro League for RUSG, who have a tricky away clash against second-place Club Brugge as they look to stretch their cushion at the summit. 

Flashscore Man of the Match: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)

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