Anthony Gordon breaks 23-year Alan Shearer record in Champions League despite long barren run

Anthony Gordon hasn’t scored a single goal from open play in the Premier League in over a year – but he’s flying in Europe.

In fact, with his strike in Newcastle‘s 3-0 win over PSV on Wednesday, he managed to move himself above a club icon.

Getty

Gordon scored the Magpies’ second of the night after half an hour, tapping home following a mistake at the back.

And in doing so, he toppled the legendary Alan Shearer, reaching eight goals and assists in this season’s Champions League.

Shearer, who is now joined by Gordon as Newcastle’s all-time top scorer in the competition with six strikes, previously held the club record with seven goal contributions during the 2002/2003 season.

But now, Gordon has six goals and two assists this term, moving him up to a record-breaking eight contributions.

Some may be left shocked by the England international’s incredible stats on the continent, as he has struggled domestically.

This season, he has only scored twice in the Premier League in 17 appearances, netting once in the FA Cup too.

Both of his top-flight goals so far came from the penalty spot against Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur in early December.

Remarkably, the 24-year-old’s last open play goal in the league came on January 15, 2025 against Wolves.

That is over a year ago, leaving him in desperate need of finding some form in the Premier League this campaign.

However, for now, all focus will be on his brilliant Champions League achievement as Newcastle cruised to a 3-0 win.

AFP

Getty

Gordon vs Shearer 2

Gordon has toppled Shearer in terms of goals and assists combined in a single Champions League season.

But he’s also closing in on taking another club record from him.

The Newcastle winger has now scored the joint-most goals ever by a Magpies player in a single edition of the competition.

His tap-in against PSV was his sixth of the campaign so far, with that also being Shearer’s tally 23 years ago.

One more goal would see him make some more history in Europe and it could come against Paris Saint-Germain on January 28.

Gordon’s six goals this term also sees him go joint third in the Champions League top-scorers list with Erling Haaland and Victor Osimhen, with the trio sat behind only Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

Getty

Howe’s praise

Speaking post-match, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe picked out Gordon as one of the standout performers for his side.

Howe told TNT Sports: “Really good performance from us. A difficult opponent, tactically they are tough to play against.

“We were rewarded with some really good goals today. Really good night for Yoane Wissa and I am really pleased for him. In part, he came to this club for nights like today.

“The players embraced the challenge and I thought it was the best individual performances from a lot of the players for a while.

“A lot of the players have excelled in this competition this year and Anthony Gordon is one of those.”

It wasn’t all good news for Howe though, as captain Bruno Guimaraes was forced to be substituted in the first half through injury.

Should Guimaraes be out for upcoming clashes against Aston Villa, PSG, Liverpool and Manchester City, others will need to step up.

And Gordon taking his impressive European form into the Premier League would certainly be helpful for Newcastle.