Anthony Gordon has revealed the private message Jose Mourinho gave him after Newcastle United’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Benfica on Tuesday night.
The England winger scored the opener and assisted Harvey Barnes for the third, lighting up St James’ Park as Eddie Howe’s side cruised to another European win.
After the final whistle, Mourinho walked onto the pitch to personally congratulate Gordon, who later shared what the Portuguese manager told him.
Gordon said: “He said, ‘You’re too much,’ which is a big compliment for me because as a kid, he was my favourite manager in the world growing up.
“It means an awful lot. Even if I didn’t idolise him, a compliment from any coach at this level means a lot.”
Howe also praised his winger’s display, saying: “Anthony played very direct and I thought athletically, he was excellent. He put a really big effort in both on and off the ball.”
Mourinho, speaking in his post-match press conference, admitted Newcastle were “simply the better side,” adding: “Their second goal was a killer, psychologically. The man-of-the-match was Anthony Gordon. Their wingers have pace and power and they have four of them.”
Pundit Andros Townsend, who played alongside Gordon at Everton, also heaped praise on the 24-year-old, saying: “For me, he’s one of the best in the Premier League in his position. He has absolutely everything now – quality, consistency, and work rate.”
Newcastle now turn their focus to the Premier League clash with Fulham, before facing Tottenham in the EFL Cup, as they look to climb from 14th place and reignite their European ambitions.
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