Howe says Gordon faces 'a lot of scrutiny'
Head coach Eddie Howe says it was his decision not to start Anthony Gordon against Barcelona after the unwell Newcastle United forward was criticised by pundits.
Gordon was questioned by a number of figures in the game – including Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane – having not been in the starting line-up for the first leg of Newcastle's Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona on Tuesday.
Shearer, speaking before it was known that Gordon had missed training, said it would take "something extraordinary to keep myself out of this game".
However, Gordon was not even able to take part in a walkthrough session on the morning of the match. His involvement was limited to coming on as a substitute midway through the second half of the 1-1 draw.
