Anthony Gordon deal is great news for Newcastle United - but things must change in final third

The news of Anthony Gordon's new Newcastle United contract came as the perfect pick-me-up for Magpie fans following last weekend's defeat at Brighton. After a summer which saw the England winger consistently linked with a move to Liverpool, seeing him commit his future to the club was a huge boost to all involved.

Alan Shearer is no different, with Newcastle's - and the Premier League's - all-time leading goalscorer delighted to see the former Everton star put pen to paper on a new deal. Gordon has impressed Shearer since his arrival from Goodison Park, with his performances last season standing out and earning him his first full England caps.

Shearer feels the deal is a positive statement of United's ambitions and hopefully a sign of things to come after a disappointng summer transfer window.

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"Anthony Gordon has committed his future to Newcastle and since Anthony joined the club, he's done ever so well," Shearer told Betfair. "He and his team have probably looked at other players who've signed new contracts and he wanted to be on a par, if not on more than they are, and that's what the contract has been renewed for.

"Gordon has done well in a black-and-white shirt. It's a good moment for him and it's a statement for the football club. It's been the good news coming out of Newcastle this week and the more top players they can tie down and bring in, which they didn't do in the summer, the better for us all."

Alexander Isak could follow Gordon and commit his future to Newcastle in the near future, but on the pitch, Shearer is hoping for better from the United frontmen. The Magpies have not scored from open play since Harvey Barnes' goal in the 3-1 defeat to Fulham, with only penalties from Gordon and Fabian Schar against Man City and AFC Wimbledon in the last four games.

Isak and Gordon both missed one-on-ones in the 1-0 defeat to Brighton, with United hit by Danny Welbeck's breakaway goal. Shearer knows what it takes to score goals at the highest levels, and insists they must improve their final ball - and take big chances when they come along.

"Newcastle’s result on Saturday was poor," he added. "They played well in the first half but didn't put the ball in the back of the back of the net. Brighton scored and Newcastle got punished. Newcastle got themselves into some good positions again, which was a similar theme to large parts of this season already. However, they once again missed big chances and produced poor final balls.

"It is in the final third that things must change for Newcastle to go forward this season. Newcastle did not make the signing or signings that they wanted in the summer so they're no better off now, then they were a year ago which is a slight concern.

There is also lots of talk about other things like stadium improvements, so fans are waiting for that too. It's been a bit of a rocky start to the season and another major part of that is the upheaval we’ve seen in terms of different personnel at the football club, with Dan Ashworth leaving, Amanda Staveley left, and a new sporting director came in. Darren Eales is also leaving too due to ill health so when you put all that in the pot, I just don't think it has helped at all."