‘Absolute nonsense’ – Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon responds to criticism from Rooney and Shearer
· Yahoo Sports
Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon has responded to the criticism from Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, calling them ‘absolute nonsense’.
Gordon didn’t start Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 home leg against Barcelona due to illness.
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He came off the bench in the second-half, but it led to criticism from several big pundits.
Roy Keane questioned how the forward could play for the final 20 minutes but wasn’t fit enough to start from the off.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer expressed his displeasure by saying it would take ‘something extraordinary to keep myself out of this game’.
Meanwhile, Rooney asked why the 25-year-old ‘wouldn’t shake our hands’ before heading to the dressing room to sit with his team-mates.
Gordon has responded to the criticism, revealing it was manager Eddie Howe who made the final call to bench him after consulting the club’s medical team.
Talking to Match of the Day, he said: “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. Complete nonsense. I think they need to do better at what they are doing.”
Gordon delivered a top-notch performance on Saturday to lead Newcastle to their first victory at Chelsea in almost 14 years.
The talented winger struck the decisive goal in the 18th-minute, with Joe Willock the provider.
Gordon had three shots in the game and won 100 percent of his ground duels.
The England international has been the most important player for the Magpies this season, scoring 16 goals and creating five assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.
Newcastle will rely on Gordon to produce the goods when they travel to face Barcelona on Wednesday.
Stats from Sofascore & Transfermarkt