Newcastle Star Lifts the Lid on What's Gone Wrong in the Premier League

Newcastle Lifts the Lid on What's Gone Wrong in the Premier League

The disparity between the performances of Newcastle United in the Premier League and Champions League isn't exactly a well-kept secret.

So when Anthony Gordon was asked about just why that is the case in his recent press conference ahead of the crucial PSG game later today, it is no surprise that his eloquent response resonated with so many who idolise clubs within the English game.

There has been a growing discourse and subsequent disgruntlement among fans about the current state of the Premier League and the monotonous genre of football that continues to plague the division.

What that is down to is debated on a plethora of levels, but whatever the reason, it can't be denied that Premier League football is beginning to lose its spark in a multitude of ways – a sentiment largely shared, or at least insinuated, by the comments of Anthony Gordon.

Gordon's Response Hits the Headlines

"Newcastle sit ninth in the Premier League table, and you guys won three on the bounce; you're eighth in the Champions League with automatic qualification secured. Could you run me through the difference between playing in the Premier League and in the Champions League?" - That was the question asked to the Newcastle man, one of those most disadvantaged by the opposing nature of Premier League and Champions League football.

Gordon's response was very telling and one that many fans regarded as an excellent assessment of the current footballing landscape.

Fremragende betragtning af Anthony Gordon.

(H/t @omaakatugba) pic.twitter.com/vMgnkT4ATB

— Nicklas Degn (@NicklasDegn) January 28, 2026

The winger said, "I think in the Champions League teams are much more open. They all try and play; it's less transitional. I think, in the Premier League, it's become more physical than I've ever known it to be. It's like a basketball game sometimes; it's so relentless physically.

"There is not much control; it's a running game, and sometimes it's about duels: whoever wins the duels wins the game. The Champions League is a bit more of an older style of game; it's a bit more football-based.

"Teams come and try to play proper football. In the Premier League now, you have seen a lot more long throw-ins and set pieces. It's become a lot slower and a lot more set-piece based, I would say."

Was Gordon Right??

In short, Gordon is absolutely spot-on.

And interestingly enough, one of the best examples of that is Gordon himself.

In the Premier League this season Anthony Gordon has made 18 appearances, with most of those coming as starts on his favoured left flank. In those games, the Englishman has managed merely two goals and one assist – a set of performances which have gained him a boatload of criticism from fans who are rightly disappointed by how the season has gone for him.

But contrast that with his Champions League tally of six goals and two assists in just seven games, and the difference proves that the issue isn't Gordon losing his touch; it's the game pace, structure and lack of intensity which are affecting his output.

On top of that, Gordon has managed just 20 fewer touches in the opposition box in the Champions League than what he has in the Premier League in almost one-third of the games, once again proving the more attacking system Newcastle have been allowed to play in the Champions League.

But this isn't even just a Newcastle observation; there are plenty of other Premier League teams who are performing better in the Champions League – take Spurs, for example.

Thomas Frank has been the subject of annoyance from fans at his defensive tactics, but when you look at his system at Brentford, that defensive solidity was supplemented by blistering counter-attacking football which captured the attention of the entire division and took some big scalps.

As per Gordon's comments, that sort of football has been almost nullified by the slow-paced nature that has taken over the Premier League, but in the Champions League, where teams come out to try and win rather than avoid defeat, Spurs have been monumentally better and showed a lot more of what is expected from a Thomas Frank side.

The Brentford Example & Arsenal's Not-So-Secret Weapon

One side many fans have been curious about, especially in regard to the mentioned Frank, is Brentford.

When Frank left, it was expected that Brentford would struggle, and because that has not been the case, Frank's abilities have been further downplayed.

But when you take a look at who Brentford appointed and the path that the Premier League is currently taking, their success isn't a surprise.

Keith Andrews was already at Brentford before being promoted to first-team manager and was initially in the role of set-piece coach – what have we seen given a much greater onus in the Premier League? Set pieces.

Michael Kayode's long throws are ridiculous 🤯

His throw-in led to @BrentfordFC's opening goal pic.twitter.com/OKt35dPTKa

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 25, 2025

And, of course, we can't mention set pieces and not talk about Arsenal, who are almost single-handedly winning the division as a result of their prominence from these situations.

The North London side have scored the most dead-ball goals in the division this season, with 16 of their 42 goals coming from those scenarios – a stat which has helped them to a table-topping season to this stage in what looks like their most likely title-winning season under Arteta yet.

Why Has It Caused Such Issues for Newcastle?

Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle United had always prided themselves on their ability to play high-intensity, all-action football, which often saw quick counterattacks and open games in which they scored freely.

But, as Gordon mentioned, this season coaches have become a lot more cautious in their systems, with clubs leaving themselves open to those situations Newcastle used to thrive on a lot less frequently than they did merely a year ago.

This is further shown by the games in which an open attack fest has ensued, such as the brilliant 4-3 win over Leeds, where Newcastle have most commonly prevailed as winners.

The way to combat this would, in theory, be to get your more creative players on the ball in the pockets. But, as has been known and cried out for by Newcastle fans for a couple of years now, they don't have that sort of number 10 who can unlock low-block defences, and it is proving costly.

The Caveat

Whilst what Gordon says is in many ways correct, excluding the compact and structural nature of Premier League football, and it's actually rather hypocritical.

The talk about the Premier League being a more physical game may be true, but Newcastle United are known as one of the more physical sides in the league, so whilst Gordon is correct, using that as the reason for the difference in performances does feel somewhat confusing.

Similarly, in slowing the game down and preventing quick, attacking football, Newcastle rank as the lowest in the division for the amount of time the ball spends on the pitch during their games - further casting questions about Gordon's comments.

So, whilst what Gordon is saying holds a sentiment that rings true, whether it should be used as a core differentiating factor for Newcastle specifically can be brought into question.