Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 12.
Player analysis: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
Gordon may be asked to lead the line by Eddie Howe as the Newcastle United head coach prepares to face his former club AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
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Strikers Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak are both out injured, but Gordon is in confident form and capable of deputising.
The 22-year-old certainly has the raw pace to concern the Cherries, given he is ranked the fifth-fastest player in the Premier League this season (36.68km/h).
He will press with enthusiasm and his chance conversion rate of 26.67 per cent shows his finishing is also worthy of respect.
Fastest PL player 23/24
| Player | Club | Top speed (km/hr) |
|---|---|---|
| Chiedozie Ogbene | Luton | 36.93 |
| Pedro Neto | Wolves | 36.86 |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | Liverpool | 36.76 |
| Dara O'Shea | Burnley | 36.73 |
| Anthony Gordon | Newcastle | 36.68 |
A lively start to the campaign
Gordon has already equalled his best tally of direct goal contributions in a Premier League season, scoring four times and adding two assists.
He has been a standout performer against Aston Villa, Liverpool, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, and is now somebody Newcastle rely on to deliver.
His curling strike at Sheff Utd (below) was a moment of outstanding quality, underlining how much his belief has grown since playing a bit-part role last season.
Newcastle’s style of play is built around great industry out of possession, and fast incisive attacks.
Gordon is tailor-made to thrive in that kind of environment.
As one of the best defensive wingers in English football at the moment, Gordon makes an impressive 32.8 pressures per 90 minutes.
Whether Gordon plays out wide or down the middle, Howe knows his player will consistently press and harry opponents.
Most pressures by PL wingers 23/24
| Player | Mins played (min. 180) | Pressures | Per 90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luca Koleosho | 711 | 273 | 34.6 |
| Jordan Ayew | 925 | 348 | 33.9 |
| Anthony Gordon | 794 | 289 | 32.8 |
| Anthony Elanga | 562 | 204 | 32.7 |
| Bobby De Cordova-Reid | 569 | 196 | 31.0 |
| Marcus Tavernier | 533 | 182 | 30.7 |
Gordon's goal against Liverpool at St James’ Park stemmed from the pressure he applied to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Forcing an error from the right back, who miscontrolled the ball, Gordon raced through to beat Alisson in a 1v1.
Gordon has always been fast and hardworking, but he appears to have gained physical strength this season.
He looks harder to knock off the ball, quicker, and more powerful in his movements.
We have seen an increase in his work-rate, sprinting and pressing, but perhaps the most significant improvement has been Gordon’s confidence running with the ball.
He now makes 17.3 ball carries per match compared to 11.1 in 2022/23.
Direct and positive whenever he receives it, Gordon is routinely testing the resolve of opposition full-backs with his wing play.
Howe must take some credit for this by building up his fitness and confidence.
Gordon comparison last three seasons
| 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes played | 2,283 | 1,576 | 794 |
| Total carries/90 | 11.5 | 11.1 | 17.3 |
| Progressive carries/90 | 6.7 | 5.4 | 7.5 |
| Sprints/90 | 20.7 | 25.5 | 31.1 |
| Distance covered/90 (km) | 10.6 | 10.6 | 10.8 |
| Pressures/90 | 45.3 | 27.6 | 32.8 |
While it is never easy to shine playing out of position in a side that have been shorn of several key players - including suspended Bruno Guimaraes this weekend - Bournemouth could be the type of opposition that suit Gordon.
Their pressing style under Andoni Iraola leaves them holding a high line at times, which Gordon may exploit on transitions with his sprints beyond the last man.
Bournemouth are also a side who routinely give up chances. Statistically they are ranked the third-worst team defensively from open-play situations.
Bournemouth stats in open play 23/24
| Total | PL rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Shots faced | 131 | 18th |
| xG against | 16.46 | 18th |
| Goals against | 17 | 18th |
As a left-sided forward, this has been an impressive breakthrough campaign for Gordon, who has the skillset to thrive in this athletic, pacy Newcastle team.
He is relatively inexperienced as a central striker but impressed during the summer as a "false nine" for England Under-21s, helping his country win the UEFA European Under-21 Championship as well as being named Player of the Tournament.
Howe will be hoping he can revert into that role in similar fashion this weekend.
Also in this series
Part 1: How Doku and Grealish are pushing each other to new levels