The narrative surrounding a football match can often be shaped by a single individual, and on Thursday night at St James’ Park, that individual was Marcus Rashford.
The Manchester United loanee, now plying his trade with Barcelona, delivered a devastatingly effective performance, scoring two superb goals to hand Newcastle United a narrow 2-1 defeat in their Champions League opener.
For the Magpies, it was a frustrating reminder of the fine margins at the highest level, but it also served as a showcase of the explosive talent they themselves possess in their attacking ranks.
While Rashford’s brace ultimately decided the contest, the match had begun brightly for the home side.
Anthony Gordon, in particular, found himself with a golden opportunity to open the scoring early on but was unable to convert.
For much of the first half, Rashford was kept relatively quiet by the diligent defending of his former England teammate, Kieran Trippier. The second half, however, was a different story.
Rashford announced his arrival with a clever, guided header to open the scoring and then sealed the win minutes later with a thunderous, unstoppable strike into the roof of the net. It was a display of world-class finishing that proved to be the difference.
The performance inevitably sparked conversations about the pecking order for the England national team.
The left-wing position appears to be a straight shootout between Rashford and Newcastle’s own Anthony Gordon, with new manager Thomas Tuchel having given each player a start during the recent international break.
Although Rashford stole the headlines in the club fixture, a closer look at their recent international performances reveals a more nuanced picture.
Recent International Performance: Rashford vs. Gordon
| Stat | Marcus Rashford (vs. Andorra) | Anthony Gordon (vs. Serbia) |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes Played | 68 | 69 |
| Touches | 44 | 35 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 |
| Key Passes | 0 | 1 |
| Pass Accuracy | 77% | 95% |
| Successful Dribbles | 2/3 | 2/4 |
| Possession Lost | 13 | 7 |
| Data sourced via Sofascore |
As the table illustrates, Gordon was remarkably efficient and effective in his outing against a strong Serbian side, being described as “outstanding” by pundit Micah Richards.
Rashford, meanwhile, was less impactful against the minnows of Andorra. At the club level, Gordon’s output over the past two seasons has also been more consistent, contributing to 45 goals in 93 appearances for Newcastle compared to Rashford’s 37 in 89 games across his spells at multiple clubs.
Yet, the most exciting development for Newcastle might not be the Gordon-Rashford debate, but the emergence of another player who shares a strikingly similar profile to the Barcelona star: Anthony Elanga.
The Swedish winger arrived from Nottingham Forest for £55 million this summer, a fee that reflects his immense potential and rapid development since leaving Manchester United two years ago.
Elanga’s story is a classic tale of a talented young player seeking liberation from a struggling giant. He burst onto the scene at Old Trafford as a teenager, with his electrifying pace and direct style drawing comparisons to a young Ryan Giggs.
However, after a promising start that included a memorable Champions League goal against Atletico Madrid, he found opportunities limited and was sold for a modest £15 million.
His subsequent two seasons at Nottingham Forest were a revelation, where he racked up 32 goal contributions and showcased the kind of form that made his former club’s decision to sell him look questionable.
Now at Newcastle, Elanga is beginning to show flashes of the “frightening” talent that was once hyped at United.
While he is yet to register a goal or assist, his physical attributes blistering speed, relentless energy, and direct running make him a perfect fit for Eddie Howe’s high-pressing system.
He was unlucky not to score on his debut against Aston Villa and was a constant menace against Barcelona, notably creating a brilliant chance for Gordon with a clever cutback.
Statistically, he was deemed one of the most similar players to Marcus Rashford in the Premier League last season.
Like Rashford, who is now flourishing in a new environment at Barcelona, Elanga appears to be on the same path: a talented attacker finally free to express himself and reach his full potential away from the intense pressure of his former club.
For Newcastle, they may have found their own version of a superstar in the making.
