UEFA issue their official verdict on Anthony Gordon's performance for Newcastle vs Leverkusen

Written on Thursday, 11 December 2025
Jonathan Gorrie

Anthony Gordon was the star man as Newcastle United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. 

Gordon, who has hit a patch of good form again of late, had a hand in both goals as Newcastle drew 2-2 with Leverkusen in the Champions League

The England international scored his fifth penalty of the season after Nick Woltemade pressed Mark Flekken into a mistake.

Gordon then teed up a fine cross for Lewis Miley to head home what looked like a winner.

Who was your MOTM vs Bayer Leverkusen?

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Still, as has become a worrying trend this season, Eddie Howe’s side threw yet another lead away. 

One piece of clever movement from Alejandro Grimaldo dumbfounded the entire Newcastle team and the Spanish full-back eventually scored a late equaliser.  

As disappointing as the result was, however, there were positives to take and Gordon was certainly one of them.

UEFA name Anthony Gordon as Player of the Match vs Bayer Leverkusen

After the game, UEFA’s Technical Observer Group named the 24-year-old as the Player of the Match.

Given his hand in both goals, that wasn’t particularly surprising.

Indeed, even the desperately disappointing manner in which Newcastle threw the game away couldn’t take away from his second-half showing.

A statement released on UEFA’s official website said: “He changed the game with his great skill and dribbling, and was always available especially in the second half.”

How would you rate Anthony Gordon’s current form out of 10? Feels like he’s on his way back 😍

Another big showing from the England star!

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Where Anthony Gordon now ranks in Newcastle United’s all-time list for Champions League goals

Gordon is playing well for Newcastle again after a difficult start to the campaign.  

While the team as a whole doesn’t always convince, it’s brilliant to see one of their big players step up once again.

Photo by Teresa Kröger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

With two games left in the first stage of the competition, Gordon is on course to at least draw level with the iconic Alan Shearer as Newcastle’s all-time top scorer in Champions League history. 

Shearer bagged seven times over the course of his career and Gordon is currently on five.

Harvey Barnes is on four and could feasibly break into the top two before the campaign is over.  

Few would bet against Gordon getting on the scoresheet in Newcastle’s next Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, 21 January, 2026.