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When Jose Mourinho arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his squad, local supporters were concerned about a tough match. But such worries vanished due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from substitute the forward, making sure Benfica's new manager did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle.

Match Flow and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that the home side would be very physical, but his own team showed their similar aggressive style. The visitors certainly enjoyed breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to build a smooth passing rhythm.

Adding to the home team's issues, key players, Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they were convalescing from illness and injury respectively.

Before kick-off, the two managers exchanged a brief, reserved greeting, and it quickly became apparent that Mourinho had told his side to subdue the home fans by slowing Newcastle and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' tactic produced varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to break through Benfica's defensive barricades, they initially found it hard to generate good opportunities.

Moreover, the Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio almost demonstrated how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Nick Pope with a powerful shot that required an excellent one-handed stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an England recall in time for the global tournament.

But when the winger directed another attempt against the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Murphy shot wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's blazing speed had created problems for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly slotted the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's quick ball into the area paid off.

On the occasion Newcastle's intense, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was there to deliver a low ball across the face of goal for Gordon to finish.

Later Stages and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's players attacked with total abandon. Lukebakio consistently showed an skill to unsettle Newcastle's back four, and the Magpies were likely relieved to reset at the break.

The first half ended with the keeper once more rescuing his team by tipping the attacker's shot around the post, and as the sides emerged for the next period, the match seemed evenly balanced.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three European appearances this campaign, played with the zeal of a winger set to alter the balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

The manager's winger had already emphasized that, while Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a set-piece above the crossbar from a good spot. Instead, this absorbing game continued to swing from end to end, persuading the manager to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, brought on an extra forward in Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Game

Until then, the away team, and especially their Portugal back Silva, had done a good job in limiting Woltemade's space and pushing the German striker back. However, with defender Dedic off, the backline was weakened, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.

The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a wonderful long throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misjudged the bounce, Barnes was away, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining commendable poise to fire a sublime shot past Trubin.

After Harvey Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate Trubin's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that the Magpies have four very fast wingers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wingers had destroyed his hopes of earning Benfica's first Champions League result of the campaign.