EDDIE HOWE admits that Anthony Gordon perhaps paid the price for ‘trying too hard’ as he returned to Goodison Park last night.
Gordon was part of the Newcastle side that crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Everton as they conceded three goals in the final 11 minutes on Merseyside.
The winger was making his first start at Goodison since leaving Everton in acrimonious circumstances when he completed a £45m switch to Newcastle in January.
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He didn’t play badly, but while his effort could not be faulted, his composure was lacking as he fired a second-half effort straight at Jordan Pickford and drilled another effort over the crossbar.
Gordon’s frustration at the final whistle was obvious, and Howe accepts it was not the 22-year-old’s night.
When asked whether Gordon was trying too hard, the Newcastle head coach said: “I think that’s probably a fair reflection.
“I think for Anthony, coming back here, it’s a huge moment for him. He had some really big moments in the game, especially in the second half.
“It certainly wasn’t for the lack of trying – it was probably the opposite. But he’s been magnificent for us in recent weeks. He’s got a huge part to play in our upcoming games.”
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