To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Media caption, Gordon goal gives Newcastle rare win at Chelsea By Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter at Stamford Bridge Published 2 hours ago 169 Comments Anthony Gordon looked like he wanted to get something off his chest. "Usually I don't like to clear stuff up because I don't care too much," the Newcastle United forward told Match of the Day on Saturday. "But this one does need clearing up because it was just nonsense." Gordon had just fired his side to an impressive 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. However, he found himself in the headlines for an altogether different reason before the match. Gordon was unable to start the first leg of Newcastle 's Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona on Tuesday because of illness. It led to criticism from a host of leading pundits. Roy Keane questioned how Gordon was able to come on midway through the second half that night, yet was not fit enough to line up from the off. Alan Shearer said it would take "something extraordinary to keep myself out of this game". Wayne Rooney, who was on punditry duty pitchside, asked why Gordon "wouldn't shake our hands" beforehand only to then "sit in a dressing room with his team-mates". It clearly unnerved Gordon. To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Media caption, I wanted to start against Barcelona - Gordon Howe defends Gordon after Shearer and Keane criticism Published 1 day ago 'The manager told me I wasn't playing' What few people knew at the time was that Gordon had been in bed ill for three days. He was unable to even take part in a walkthrough session on the morning of the Barca match. As much as Gordon nonetheless felt "ready to start" that evening, it was head coach Eddie Howe who made the final decision to bench him after speaking to the club's medical team. "When I got to the stadium the manager told me I wasn't playing, which I didn't like very much, but that's his decision and the team played well," he said. "Saying I didn't want to play in the biggest game of my career is absolute nonsense. "I think Rooney said I went past and didn't shake their hands and went into the changing room. I didn't. "I got changed by myself in a changing room the size of this. It was just me and a sink. Complete nonsense. I think they need to do better at what they are doing." Howe and Gordon were in agreement that he was fit enough to start at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The 25-year-old certainly looked it. His goal proved the difference against Chelsea , but Gordon's selfless work without the ball was crucial to this win, too. Gordon led Newcastle 's press from the front - making more high-intensity pressures in the opposition half than any other player - and also raced back to help his team-mates on a number of occasions. A
Originally reported by BBC Sport. Published on ABN12.