Anthony Gordon separated from Newcastle teammate at half-time as fans work out why

Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon had a bust-up at half-time and fans think they have worked out why the Newcastle United teammates clashed.

Newcastle ran riot in the first-half of their Champions League first-leg play-off tie against Qarabag on Wednesday.

They raced into a five-goal lead at the break, with Gordon scoring a stunning four goals, including two penalties.

He opened the scoring in the third minute before Malick Thiaw headed home to double his side's lead.

Gordon then scored three unanswered goals, including a second spot-kick in first-half stoppage time.

Despite going into the break five goals up, Trippier was left raging at Gordon and could be seen pointing at him following the referee's whistle for half-time.

Dan Burn separated his club colleagues from each other, while Anthony Elanga put his arms around the England forward.

A disagreement between Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier that continued going in at the half-time break 😳@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Qdibtv23B5

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2026

Fans online think Trippier was upset with Gordon for not giving the second penalty to Nick Woltemade or Joe Willock.

One X user wrote: "I get Trippier having a little go at Gordon for not letting someone else take the 2nd penalty while he’s already scored a hat-trick but f** that."

A second said: "Never claimed to be Gordon’s biggest fan but it’s not his job to give pity goals to his teammates - he is our penalty taker, a good one at that, and there’s no way Trippier should be having a pop at him there."

A third added: "Trippier showing his disdain for Gordon disobeying as the captain on the pitch. You’re already on hat trick, listen to your captain and give the second penalty to your fellow striker to score."

Another claimed: "Ultimately, Gordon is the penalty taker. It’s his choice. Tripps can ask the question, but it’s Gordon’s decision. But I feel there’s more to it with the way Trippier has reacted."

At the break, TNT Sports showed pictures of Trippier speaking to Gordon moments before he converted his second penalty, seemingly asking him to share the spot-kicks with his teammates.

Like fans online, Shay Given also suggested the bust-up was down to Gordon taking the second penalty when he had already completed his hat-trick.