Everton fans rage at what Anthony Gordon did in the Goodison Park tunnel after Newcastle loss as former player defends him
Paddy Kenny claims Anthony Gordon can’t win after footage emerged of the Newcastle winger celebrating victory over Everton in the Goodison tunnel.
The former Toffees academy product left for St. James’ Park in the January transfer window under a cloud in a £45million deal, and the relationship between the 22-year-old and his former fans has irretrievably broken down since.
Following the 4-1 victory back at his boyhood club on Thursday night (27 April), which left Everton on the brink of relegation, footage emerged online of him pumping his fists in celebration inside the tunnel after the final whistle.View Tweet
Amid a furious response online Kenny has backed the English wide man. Reacting on Twitter the former Sheffield United and Leeds keeper wrote: “He can’t win”.
Sad
A year ago Gordon was one of the few silver linings from a nightmare season that ultimately just avoided relegation under Frank Lampard, after a solid season in the first team.
But 12-months has proven an extremely long time in this story as he “forced his way out” of the club in the winter window by “effectively going on strike” [Telegraph, 27 April], leaving the stuggling Toffees for the high-flying Magpies.
He had been one of the players, along with Yerry Mina, confronted in the street prior to his move by upset fans, as a second season descended into a mess while his form dipped dramatically after a strong start.
Gordan then claimed he had been “hurt” by the club’s statement announcing his departure when speaking to Sky Sports on 10 March, after feeling he was a “massive part” of keeping the club up last season, with the Everton statement notable for its short length.
The club’s press office has been described as “toxic” according to the football finance expert Kieran Maguire, but the statement likely showed how unimpressed the Toffees were with the manner of the former academy product’s exit.
Events in the past few months has reinforced a feeling among the fanbase that Gordon has a higher opinion of himself than is really warranted and he abandoned a sinking ship, even if some vitriol likely goes too far.
He no doubt would have been ridiculed by the scorned supporters had his return to Goodison resulted in a defeat, so in that sense Kenny is right, but it would have been the same for numerous players who come back to face their former sides.
Looking delighted that Everton may be relegated after the history with the club won’t do anything to improve the view of him on Merseyside, in a situation that is sad more than anything as he was once the new hope of the team and now couldn’t be further from it.
