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As Jose Mourinho came at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his players, local supporters were concerned about a difficult match. But such worries vanished thanks to a goal from the winger and two more from substitute the forward, ensuring Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Match Flow and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his own team showed their similar aggressive approach. The visitors certainly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's initial attempts to build a fluent attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, two players, Tonali and the Brazilian, started on the bench as they were recovering from sickness and a knock each.

Before the start, the two managers exchanged a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his side to quiet the crowd by slowing the game and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

Benfica's strategy produced varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to break through the defensive barricades, they initially struggled to generate good opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgian winger Lukebakio almost demonstrated how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an terrific single-hand save. No wonder the goalkeeper retains hope for an national team return in time for the global tournament.

But when the winger directed a further attempt off the woodwork, the home side roused themselves. Murphy shot wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post stop from Guimaraes before Gordon at last opened the deadlock.

Gordon's blazing speed had caused consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he calmly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after his teammate's early cross into the area paid off.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not anticipated by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was there to pass a ground cross across the face of goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their players attacked with total abandon. The winger repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the Magpies were probably relieved to regroup at half-time.

The opening period concluded with the keeper once more saving his side by tipping the attacker's left-foot wide of the post, and as the teams emerged for the next period, the match seemed finely balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the determination of a winger aiming to alter the power balance in his team's direction, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

The manager's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and home fans were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the crossbar from a well-placed position. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to swing from end to end, prompting Newcastle's manager to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a gamble too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Match

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese back Antonio Silva, had performed a good job in limiting Woltemade's room and pushing the Germany centre-forward deep. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was weakened, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a superb long throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the bounce, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining impressive composure to fire a sublime strike past the keeper.

After Barnes slid a low effort through poor the goalkeeper's legs after meeting Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that the Magpies have four very fast wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from two wide men had destroyed his chances of securing Benfica's first Champions League result of the season.