Since serving a suspension for his sending off against Brighton in the FA Cup, Gordon has had to settle for a place on the Newcastle bench after Harvey Barnes impressed on the left flank in the absence of the former Everton forward.
Gordon was introduced 10 minutes into the second half at the Amex Stadium on Sunday and made an impact, immediately winning a penalty that was eventually overturned and didn’t go Newcastle’s way but was still a big moment in the game, according to Howe.
And Howe wants Gordon to now build on his promising cameo.
“Definitely, that’s his job, when he gets an opportunity he has to come on the pitch and show his qualities,” said Newcastle’s head coach.
“He did that. He made one lovely pass to Bruno that could have ended up with a different outcome. He influenced the game with the penalty decision and although it wasn’t given it gives a feeling the momentum is with us.
“That was a positive moment. He played very well.”
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Newcastle rescued a point late on against Albion thanks to the cool head of Alexander Isak, who scored from the spot, the striker’s 23rd Premier League goal of the season.
Howe said: “Alex is an outstanding, technically he has every finish you need, left and right foot.
“But the biggest thing in my experience having worked with many very good strikers down the years is his ability to slow the game down when he needs to, but not to the point where he gets tackled obviously.
“But he has this ability to take a moment and then execute what he needs. He’s been doing it since he joined the football club and I can’t praise that side of his game enough.”
Newcastle host rivals Chelsea on Sunday in what is a huge game in the battle for the Champions League places.
The Magpies remain in control of their own destiny in the race for a top five finish, and Howe insists he is not expending emotional energy hoping for favours from elsewhere.
“I’m always watching other games,” replied Howe when asked if he is cheering on teams playing against Newcastle’s European rivals.
“Naturally you’ll think of our position and you’ll want a result that suits our position. I’m human, I’ve got no problem saying that.
“But I don’t try to get all emotional in that, because ultimately the only emotion I need to direct is towards my team. Ultimately if we don’t win games, I’m not going to get there anyway.
“I try to detach myself from it and just say what will be, will be with the other teams. It’s about what we do.
“We look stronger for the point [at Brighton] than we would have done without it. It could ultimately turn out to be a big point for us.”
