Anthony Gordon Fires Back at Pundits Over Illness Criticism
Anthony Gordon has vehemently rejected what he calls 'nonsense' claims from football legends Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney, following Newcastle United's crucial 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The 25-year-old winger, who scored the decisive goal, took aim at the pundits for their comments regarding his illness that kept him out of the starting lineup against Barcelona earlier in the week.
Gordon's Return and Winning Goal
After being benched for Newcastle's Champions League clash with Barcelona on Tuesday due to illness, Gordon made a triumphant return to the starting eleven against Chelsea. He netted the only goal of the match, securing a vital win for the Magpies. In a post-match interview on BBC's Match of the Day, Gordon addressed the controversy head-on, stating, 'Usually I don’t like to clear stuff up because I don’t care too much, but this one does need clearing up because it was just nonsense.'
Shearer and Rooney's Criticisms
Alan Shearer, speaking on Prime Video before the Barcelona game, expressed skepticism about Gordon's illness, saying, 'Maybe I’m old school, but if you’re fit enough to train in the morning, and I know he doesn’t feel well, but this is Barcelona at Newcastle for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It would take something extraordinary to keep myself out of this game tonight.' Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney, also a pundit for Prime Video, commented on Gordon's situation during the Stick to Football podcast, noting, 'Eddie Howe said before the game he probably has 20 or 30 minutes in him. So what is that telling you the sports scientists and doctors are saying? If you are ill, you are ill.' Rooney added that Gordon avoided handshakes before the match due to illness but was seen with teammates in the dressing room.
Gordon's Detailed Rebuttal
Gordon provided a detailed account to counter these claims, explaining, 'I was in bed for three days, missed training. I turned up on the day of the game, ready to start, I thought I was going to start. 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.' He strongly denied any suggestion of unwillingness to play, emphasizing, 'Saying I didn’t want to play in the biggest game of my career is absolute nonsense.' Regarding Rooney's handshake comment, Gordon clarified, '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.' He concluded by urging the pundits to improve their analysis, saying, 'So, complete nonsense. I think they need to do better at what they are doing.'
Context of the Match and Aftermath
The win against Chelsea marks a significant moment for Newcastle United in their Premier League campaign, with Gordon's goal highlighting his importance to the team. This incident has sparked debate in the football community about player health, media scrutiny, and the role of pundits. Gordon's forceful response underscores the pressure athletes face and their need to defend their professionalism publicly.
