Eddie Howe has explained how former Everton man Anthony Gordon will be feeling upon his third return to Goodison Park since leaving his boyhood club.
Everton take on Newcastle United on Saturday evening in the Premier League as they look to capitalise on their first victory of the season over Crystal Palace last week.
It was a result that the performances of Sean Dyche’s side deserved but the Magpies will be a much tougher test, even at home.
Newcastle sit seventh in the table having won three of their matches, picking up two draws – one with Manchester City – and losing just once.
While Eddie Howe’s side are injury-stricken – they’ll be without Alexander Isak on Saturday – and haven’t been playing their best, they remain a dangerous outfit, largely thanks to Anthony Gordon.
Everton fans will need no introduction to just how fast and lethal the forward is as he came through the ranks at his boyhood club before departing in a £45m move in January 2023.
Saturday will be his third time back at his old stomping ground since the move and Howe admits it will be an emotional day for him.
Eddie Howe says Anthony Gordon will be ’emotional’ upon Everton return
Howe said of Gordon in his pre-match press conference: “I think with each time [returning to Everton] it will get slightly easier for Anthony.
“But it will be emotional, he’s human, and I think there will be lots of things going through him as he plays the game.
“But I think as long as he focuses on himself – and I think he was excellent last week as he led the line with a really important performance because you need your focal point to deliver certain aspects to help the team – so all I ask is he does that again.”
Anthony Gordon record vs Everton
If Everton fans can take solace from the fact that Gordon is in hot form going into the match, it’s that his record playing against his former club so far isn’t anything to shout about.
Newcastle did win convincingly by a 4-1 scoreline in his first game back at Goodison but Gordon only got on for the final three minutes and didn’t have much to do with the thrashing.
When he did start and play the full 90 at Everton last season, the Toffees surprisingly stormed to a 3-0 victory and he was suspended for the return fixture at St. James’ Park.
Keep everything crossed for a repeat of that 3-0 scoreline on Saturday.
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