Gordon's penalties put Newcastle on track in Union SG demolition

Eddie Howe had reason to be wary.

- Louise Taylor

Up against a young hotshot coach and his high-flying Belgian champions, Newcastle’s manager must have felt a certain pressure at kickoff.

Given Newcastle were still coming to terms with the departure of Alexander Isak and had been struggling for form, a balmy early October night in Brussels seemed far from the ideal time or place to meet Sébastian Pocognoli’s vibrant Union Saint-Gilloise.

A defeat at Anderlecht’s Lotto Park - Uefa deems Union SG’s own ground unsuitable for Champions League games - would have led some to consider Newcastle as being in crisis going into their Premier League date with a similarly stuttering Nottingham Forest on Tyneside on Sunday.

Instead they will face Ange Postecoglou’s side with confidence restored after goals from Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes ultimately overwhelmed Pocognoli’s spirited side. Throw in outstanding performances from Sandro Tonali and Anthony Elanga and it is easy to understand why the Geordie mood music had turned considerably more upbeat.