All of Gordon's strikes came before the break, with Malick Thiaw and Jacob Murphy also getting on the scoresheet for the Magpies in Azerbaijan, while Elvin Cafarquliyev got a consolation goal for the hosts.

Newcastle was ahead after just 122 seconds, its fastest goal in the competition, as Gordon slotted in from Dan Burn's pass before Thiaw doubled its lead in the ninth minute as he headed in from Kieran Trippier's deep cross.

Gordon scored from the penalty spot shortly after the half-hour mark following a handball from Matheus Silva, and the England international then nicked the ball off Kevin Medina from Qarabag's restart and rounded the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick.

There was still time for another goal in the first half, with Gordon drawing a foul from Mateusz Kochalski in the box and dispatching his second spot-kick, despite captain Trippier asking to take the penalty.

Cafarquliyev gave the home fans something to smile about when his goal was eventually given after the linesman initially raised his flag for offside, but Newcastle still got the last laugh when Jacob Murphy's deflected strike from distance flew past Kochalski.