When Anthony Gordon beat World Cup winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez all ends up with a sizzling strike into the top corner at the Gallowgate End after just 80 seconds, it was actually much more than just a flying start from the England star.

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has now revealed that the moment against Aston Villa was more than just a piece of opportunistic act by Gordon. The 23-year-old had latched on to a pass from Joelinton following good work in midfield from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.

The finish was spectacular and a certain contender for BBC Match of the Day's goal of the month competition, but Howe has now offered insight into the moment of magic from the £45million man. Howe said: "Scoring in the first minute is important because too many times we have conceded early in games, and that has left us with a mountain to climb.

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"The last couple of games it has been the other way around and that is the way we want to start. There was a really good feeling around the stadium before the game and we responded to it.

"Anthony was actually practicing the goal in training on Christmas Day. You never hit every one as true as that you are going to have mixed success.

"But what I love about Anthony is that he does go away and really practice his craft and he puts the hours in. So full credit to him for delivering it."

Gordon, a big reader of psychological and strategy books, also feels that shocking opponents so early in games, like Newcastle did at Ipswich in the 4-0 win and the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, must remain part of the game plan for the Magpies.

He told Chronicle Live after his howitzer against Villa: "Early goals being scored again. It's such a good psychological effect on the game. It puts them right on the back foot. But I think it helps the way we play.

"If we can score first and they start passing backwards and then we can press, press the keeper, get the crowd involved. It's going to be a really difficult task to win us from that moment on. So, yeah, I hope we keep scoring early."