EDDIE HOWE has confirmed that Anthony Gordon is now Newcastle United’s designated penalty taker, with the winger having scored a brace of spot-kicks in his side’s 4-0 Champions League win at Union Saint-Gilloise.

Gordon stepped up to convert from the spot in the first half after Anthony Elanga had been fouled just inside the area, and added a second goal in identical fashion after the break, firing home from 12 yards after his own cross had been handled in the box.

During his time on Tyneside, the England winger has seen Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson dominate penalty-taking duties, but the mantle has now passed to Gordon, who has scored three goals in his opening two Champions League matches this season.

“Anthony has been practising them [penalties] a lot,” said Howe. “He’s been working very hard on his routine.

“You can see that he’s very focused and I was really pleased with how he took the two penalties. I think when you see someone as dedicated as he’s been towards that, then I had no hesitation in giving him that role.”

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