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When Jose Mourinho arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, home fans feared a difficult match. But such fears disappeared thanks to a goal from the winger and a brace from replacement the forward, making sure Benfica's coach did not inflict any trouble for Howe's team.

Match Flow and Early Action

The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their own aggressive approach. The visitors clearly delighted in breaking up Newcastle's early efforts to establish a smooth attacking tempo.

Adding to the home team's challenges, two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they continued convalescing from sickness and injury each.

Before kick-off, the two managers shared a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it soon became clear that the Benfica coach had told his team to quiet the crowd by delaying the game and reducing the temperature at every chance.

Critical Moments and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy produced varied results, but when Gordon and his teammates succeeded to break through Benfica's backline, they at first struggled to create clear chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgium winger Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that required an excellent single-hand stop. No wonder Pope retains hope for an England recall in time for the global tournament.

But when the winger hit a further shot against the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy fired wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last opened the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing pace had created problems for Mourinho all night, and he calmly slotted the opener past the goalkeeper after his teammate's quick ball into the area proved effective.

When Newcastle's hard, pressing game was not second-guessed by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to deliver a ground ball across the face of goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side pushed forward with total freedom. The winger consistently showed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the Magpies were likely grateful to regroup at half-time.

The opening period ended with Pope again rescuing his side by tipping the attacker's shot around the post, and as the sides emerged for the second half, the match seemed finely poised.

If Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the determination of a wide player aiming to shift the balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

The manager's winger had previously shown that, while Dan Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a born left-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have felt easier had Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a corner above the crossbar from a good position. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, persuading the manager to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, threw on an additional forward in Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had performed a fine job in limiting Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's Germany striker deep. But now, with defender Dedic substituted, the backline was weakened, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

The home side's two changes was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper sent a wonderful throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, on this occasion, misread the flight, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping impressive poise to lash a sublime shot past the keeper.

When Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after meeting Gordon's excellent through ball, it was finished. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have four quick wingers, and a trio of strikes from two wide men had shattered his chances of earning the team's first Champions League result of the campaign.