AliousAmadou Onana, a former Everton midfielder, has shown support for his ex-teammate Anthony Gordon following a crucial missed penalty in Newcastle’s match against Everton. The two players, who once shared the pitch at Goodison Park, have since moved on to different clubs but maintain a bond of camaraderie.
Gordon, who left Everton for Newcastle United in a £45 million transfer in January 2023, returned to his former home ground on Saturday. His reception was far from warm, as Everton fans expressed their displeasure over the manner of his departure. Despite the hostile atmosphere, Gordon has been making significant strides at Newcastle, becoming an integral part of Eddie Howe’s squad and even earning a place in the England national team for the European championships.
The match at Goodison Park was tensely poised at 0-0 when Newcastle was awarded a penalty following a VAR review. Gordon, who had successfully converted a penalty in Newcastle’s previous 1-1 draw with Manchester City, stepped up to take the spot-kick. However, his former teammate and current England colleague, Jordan Pickford, saved the attempt, much to the delight of the home crowd. The game ultimately ended in a goalless draw, with Gordon’s missed penalty proving to be a pivotal moment.
Following the match, Gordon took to Instagram to address his penalty miss, showing accountability and resilience. He wrote, “A great performance, just couldn’t put them away, and that’s on me. Never easy missing but you’ll never ever see me shy away from stepping up for my team. Thanks to everyone that travelled – till next time.”
Onana, now playing elsewhere, responded to Gordon’s post with a simple red heart emoji, demonstrating solidarity with his former teammate during a challenging moment.
The incident took an unexpected turn when Everton’s official social media account posted a video of Gordon’s penalty miss, accompanied by the buzzer sound from the TV show “Family Fortunes.” This post drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher and Dan Donachie, Everton’s former medical director. Donachie went as far as to label the post “disgraceful,” highlighting the controversy surrounding the club’s handling of the situation.
This episode underscores the complex dynamics between players, their former clubs, and fans in modern football, while also raising questions about the appropriate use of social media by official club accounts in sensitive situations.
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