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When Jose Mourinho came at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his players, home fans were concerned about a tough match. However such worries disappeared due to a goal from the winger and a brace from substitute the forward, making sure Benfica's coach would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Early Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that the home side would be very physical, but his own team showed their own aggressive approach. The visitors clearly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's initial efforts to establish a fluent attacking rhythm.

Compounding Newcastle's issues, key players, Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they continued recovering from sickness and a knock each.

Before the start, the two managers exchanged a brief, reserved embrace, and it quickly became apparent that Mourinho had told his side to subdue the crowd by delaying the game and reducing the intensity whenever possible.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

Benfica's tactic produced varied outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through Benfica's backline, they at first struggled to generate good opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgian winger Lukebakio nearly demonstrated scoring skill when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous strike that got an excellent single-hand save. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an national team recall in time for the global tournament.

Yet when Lukebakio hit another shot off the post, the home side woke up. Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range stop from Guimaraes before Gordon at last opened the deadlock.

Gordon's blazing speed had created consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly slotted the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's quick cross into the area paid off.

On the occasion Newcastle's hard, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a low ball across the goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side attacked with real abandon. The winger consistently showed an skill to unsettle Howe's back four, and the home team were probably relieved to reset at the break.

The first half concluded with the keeper once more rescuing his team by diverting Lukebakio's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the next period, everything seemed evenly balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the determination of a wide player set to alter the balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

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

Howe might have felt easier had Miley, filling in for Tonali, not headed a set-piece over the bar from a well-placed position. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to move from end to end, prompting Newcastle's coach to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, threw on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Game

Before that, the away team, and in particular their Portuguese back Antonio Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's German centre-forward deep. However, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was weakened, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a superb long throw in Barnes's direction. When Silva, on this occasion, misread the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining impressive poise to lash a superb strike past the keeper.

When Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's legs after meeting Gordon's stellar pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that the Magpies have four quick wingers, and three goals from two wide men had destroyed his chances of securing Benfica's first Champions League result of the season.