🔗 Share this article

When Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, home fans feared a difficult match. But such fears vanished thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from substitute the forward, making sure the visitors' coach would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.

Match Flow and Early Action

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team showed their own aggressive style. The visitors certainly enjoyed breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to establish a smooth attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, key midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they were convalescing from sickness and injury each.

Prior to the start, the coaches exchanged a brief, reserved embrace, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his side to quiet the crowd by delaying the game and reducing the temperature at every chance.

Key Events and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy produced mixed results, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates managed to dismantle Benfica's defensive barricades, they initially found it hard to create good chances.

Additionally, the Belgian winger Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Nick Pope with a powerful strike that got an terrific single-hand stop. No wonder Pope still hopes for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when Lukebakio hit a further attempt off the woodwork, the home side roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's blazing pace had created problems for the Benfica coach all night, and he calmly slotted the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's early cross into the area proved effective.

On the occasion Newcastle's hard, high press was not second-guessed by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to pass a low cross across the face of goal for Gordon to finish.

Later Stages and Decisive Changes

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's players attacked with real freedom. The winger repeatedly showed an ability to unsettle Newcastle's back four, and the Magpies were probably relieved to regroup at the break.

The opening period ended with Pope once more saving his team by diverting the attacker's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the next period, everything seemed evenly poised.

If Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth goal in three European games this season, played with the determination of a winger aiming to alter the power balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had different ideas.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and Newcastle fans were in mouths every time he advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner over the bar from a good position. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to move from end to end, prompting Newcastle's coach to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an additional striker in Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a risk that backfired.

Barnes Wins the Match

Until then, the away team, and especially their Portugal back Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing the German striker back. However, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was weakened, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

The home side's two changes was already paying off by the time Pope sent a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping commendable composure to fire a superb shot past the keeper.

After Barnes slid a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that the Magpies have several very fast wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wingers had shattered his chances of earning Benfica's first European points of the season.