Kieran Trippier explains what happened during Anthony Gordon clash vs Qarabag

Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier has spoken out over his angry exchange with Anthony Gordon during their side's 6-1 Champions League win over Qarabag.

Gordon, who was playing as a central striker in Baku, netted four first-half goals as Eddie Howe's side eased to a big win in the first leg of the play-off.

Malick Thiaw and Jacob Murphy also got on the scoresheet, with Elvin Cafarquliyev scoring a consolation goal for Qarabag at 5-0 down.

It was a near-faultless evening for the Magpies in Azerbaijan - even if an angry half-time exchange between Gordon and Trippier appeared to briefly threaten to boil over.

As the players walked towards the tunnel area, Gordon began gesturing towards Newcastle captain Trippier, who was wearing the armband in the absence of the injured Bruno Guimaraes.

Trippier pointed his finger in the direction of his team-mate, with Dan Burn and Anthony Elanga both running in to separate them.

TNT Sports pundit Shay Given suggested that Trippier's ire may have been due to the fact that Gordon took Newcastle's second penalty to add to his hat-trick in the first half.

The forward has taken seven of the 10 penalties awarded to Newcastle this season.

But speaking after the game to TNT Sports reporter Jules Breach, Trippier indicated that their brief feud was now water under the bridge in his mind.

"Obviously, Gordy's scored a hat-trick, and I was thinking about the other players," he explained. "I wanted Nick [Woltemade] to take a penalty.

"But also, he [Gordon] is our penalty taker. He wants to score goals, as everybody else does, but ultimately he's the penalty taker.

"Listen, in football, emotions are high on the pitch at times. It is what it is. He scored four goals, he was unbelievable today, and we've moved on."

"Emotions do get high but he's one of my closest teammates" 😅

Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon settle their feud and reflect on a brilliant Newcastle performance...

🎙️ @julesbreach

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yF0T6eGEQ5

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

Gordon said: "I understand everyone's opinion, because I want everyone to succeed. We're a team, we should be in it together.

"But I'm an attacker, I'm the penalty taker, so I want to score as many goals as I possibly can. But I understood everyone's opinion.

"Emotions do get high, but he's one of my closest team-mates. He has been since I joined the club. He's done so much for me. So he's alright!"

"Get the boxing gloves in training!" Trippier joked.

The second leg of Newcastle's Champions League play-off tie against Qarabag takes place on Tuesday, February 24 at St James' Park.