Alan Shearer maintains stance on Anthony Gordon amid goal controversy
Alan Shearer has stood firm on his criticism of Anthony Gordon, refusing to retract his comments despite the Newcastle winger netting the decisive goal in Saturday’s victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, reports BritPanorama.
The 25-year-old converted from close range in the first half to secure three points, subsequently launching a scathing attack on pundits who questioned his absence from the starting lineup against Barcelona in midweek.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker, Shearer expressed his appreciation for Gordon’s combative response. “Good! I love it!” Shearer declared. “That’s fine. You always get the chance, the right to reply as a player.”
“I wouldn’t change anything I said the other night against Barcelona. Illness wouldn’t have kept me out for a game,” Shearer reiterated, maintaining his position. Gordon rebuffed the media commentary as “complete and utter stupidity,” stating he had been confined to bed for three days prior to the Champions League encounter and had missed training entirely.
The winger explained in his post-match interview, “I was in bed for three days, missed training, and turned up on the day of the game ready to start – I thought I was starting.” He added that Eddie Howe informed him upon arrival at the stadium that he would not feature from the beginning, a decision he accepted reluctantly. “Saying I didn’t want to play in the biggest game of my career is absolute nonsense,” he asserted.
Former players also weighed in, with Roy Keane questioning the logic of Gordon’s situation on The Overlap, remarking, “How can you be ill and come on for half an hour? It’s bizarre, isn’t it?” Wayne Rooney further criticised Gordon, claiming the winger had walked past pundits before the match without shaking hands due to concerns about spreading illness, before entering the dressing room with teammates.
Gordon addressed Rooney’s account, insisting he had changed separately from the squad in a small room and called the claims “complete nonsense.” Shearer had initially questioned Gordon’s commitment ahead of the Barcelona match, highlighting what he described as an “old school” approach to player fitness.
Despite the public spat, Gordon’s winning goal contributed to an enjoyable weekend for Shearer, who hosted Ian Wright in the North East. The pair played golf before embarking on an extended celebration, beginning with Guinness and continuing well into the early hours.
Amid the hustle of the Premier League, this saga serves as a vivid reminder of how performances can shake up narratives, whether in scoring goals or addressing criticisms. In football, clarity often comes from the pitch, yet the discussions off it can cast long shadows.
