Anthony Gordon almost guided Newcastle United to a pivotal Champions League win against Bayer Leverkusen, only to concede a late equaliser.

It is becoming a habit for Newcastle United, who threw away victory against Tottenham Hotspur last week then tried to do the same versus Burnley on Saturday.

On reflection, Newcastle United’s draw with Bayer Leverkusen is a positive result. A point before kick-off would have been acceptable, but the nature of this result leaves a bitter taste for the Toon Army.

It is the same for Anthony Gordon, who has been asked about his side conceding so many late goals.

Anthony Gordon suggests fatigue is to blame as Newcastle United throw away victory

Gordon, who scored and got an assist at the BayArena, spoke to the media immediately after the game.

The 24-year-old was asked why he thinks Newcastle United keep conceding late on in matches.

“I actually don’t know,” he told TNT Sports.

“I don’t know if it’s fatigue with all the games that we’re getting a bit tired late on. I’m not too sure but it all comes back to mentality.

“We’ve got to be stronger and hold off in those games because top teams do.”

Will Newcastle advance to the next round of the Champions League?

10 points from 6 games is good, but a win vs Leverkusen could have moved us up to 6th!

Eddie Howe unable to agree with Anthony Gordon after Champions League disappointment

Following Gordon’s comment, Eddie Howe was then asked to give his verdict on what his number 10 had to say.

The Newcastle United manager refused to blame fatigue for the Magpies’ shortcomings late in games, admitting that his side need to defend better no matter what minute it is.

“I don’t know at this minute in time,” he told TNT Sports.

“We haven’t defended the two goals well enough today, regardless of timing.

“The first is a disappointment for us, set play. It’s made our night very difficult. From there we’ve navigated it really well.

“The second one, I need to see it again but it seemed too easy for them to go through the middle of our defence so we need to look at it.”

While it was a frustrating end to what could have been a special night, it could still prove to be a valuable Champions League point.

Newcastle United have 10 points after six games, which leaves them 12th in the 36-team table.

Frustratingly, victory would have lifted them up to sixth and put them in a strong position to bypass the playoff stage of the competition.

Regardless, Newcastle United should still fancy their chances of advancing with PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain to come in January 2026.