Anthony Gordon scores four as Newcastle hammer Qarabag in first leg

Anthony Gordon plundered four goals as Newcastle took a stranglehold on their Champions League play-off against Qarabag with a rampant 6-1 first leg victory in Baku.

The 24-year-old England international needed just three minutes to eclipse Alan Shearer’s club record of six goals in a single campaign and added three more before the break, two of them from the penalty spot, as the Magpies routed the champions of Azerbaijan in merciless style.

Indeed, had it not been for the efforts of goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski, who made a string of fine saves during the first half but was also beaten by Malick Thiaw and Jacob Murphy, the scoreline at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium could have assumed even more epic proportions.

Eddie Howe’s men will welcome Qarabag to St James’ Park next Tuesday knowing they are all-but assured of a last-16 showdown with either Barcelona or Premier League rivals Chelsea.

A special night in Baku!