Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has issued a challenge to Anthony Gordon ahead of the Magpies’ Boxing Day clash with Manchester United on Friday night.
No English team played on Christmas and, for the first time in history, there is only one Premier League match on Boxing Day.
Both Newcastle United and Manchester United have dropped points in their last two fixtures and need a statement victory.
Eddie Howe Issues Challenge to Gordon Ahead of Man United vs Newcastle
After losing 1-0 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Newcastle United held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park on Saturday. Nick Woltemade scored both goals (4′, 20′), with Anthony Gordon serving as the architect.
In the fourth minute, Howe won the ball in midfield and kicked off a Newcastle break. He combined with Jacob Murphy before going for goal.
Robert Sanchez blocked his shot, but Woltemade put away the rebound.
In the 20th minute, Gordon beat his marker on the left flank before delivering a curling cross into the box. The German buried the ball into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0. It was arguably Gordon’s finest performance of the 2025/26 season.
Ahead of the game against Manchester United, Eddie Howe asked Gordon to produce these performances on a consistent basis.
5 – Anthony Gordon is only the second Newcastle United player to score 5+ goals in a single season in the UEFA Champions League, after Alan Shearer in 2002-03 (6). Famous. pic.twitter.com/Xd1Dt58hMk
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 10, 2025
“That is the challenge,” said Howe.
“I thought it [vs Chelsea] was one of Anthony’s best games this season. It started very early in the game when he won the ball back in the build-up to our first goal, and he is the one getting on the end of Murphy’s cross, and Nick ultimately scores, but two actions there, one with the tackle and then in the box.”
He continued:
“That shows Anthony at his very best, then he sets up another goal for Nick. So a really productive half for him.
“But it is the same for any player, finding that consistent level of performance where you are hitting very good levels every single game. That is what separates the very best players from the others.
1. Anthony Gordon (£7.3m, 3% TSB)
• Amazing fixtures and decent form too, he is the best replacement at the moment
• 2G and 2A in the last 5GWs and on pens
• A big caveat is his injury history this season, he has completed 90 minutes just once in the league
• Averaging 69… pic.twitter.com/pbtjwfpplf
— FPL GOAT (@FPLGOAT7) December 23, 2025
“As we move forward, the challenge for Anth is to try and replicate that performance on a consistent basis.”
Gordon has played 12 Premier League games this season, scoring two goals and providing an assist.
Manchester United vs Newcastle Head-to-Head
Manchester United and Newcastle United have faced each other 181 times in all competitions. The Red Devils have won 92 times, Newcastle 48 times, and 41 matches have ended in a draw.
In the Premier League, Man United have beaten the Magpies 33 times in 60 clashes (D 16, L 11). Man United vs Newcastle Boxing Day stats show the Mancunians have beaten the Toons in their previous three post-Christmas meetings.
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