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As Jose Mourinho arrived at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, home fans feared a difficult game. But such fears vanished due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement the forward, ensuring the visitors' new manager did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Game Flow and Early Exchanges

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players displayed their own aggressive approach. The visitors certainly delighted in disrupting Newcastle's initial efforts to establish a fluent passing rhythm.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, key players, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they were recovering from illness and injury each.

Prior to kick-off, the coaches shared a brief, cool embrace, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had instructed his side to subdue the crowd by slowing Newcastle and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Critical Moments and Decisive Actions

The visitors' tactic produced varied results, but when Gordon and his teammates managed to dismantle the backline, they at first struggled to generate clear chances.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgium winger Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after beating the defender behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike that got an excellent one-handed stop. No wonder Pope retains hope for an England return in time for the World Cup.

But when Lukebakio directed a further attempt off the woodwork, the home side roused themselves. Murphy fired wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post stop from Guimaraes before Gordon finally opened the deadlock.

Gordon's blazing pace had created consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he calmly slotted the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's quick ball into the area proved effective.

When the Magpies' intense, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to pass a ground cross across the goal for Gordon to polish off.

Later Stages and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their side pushed forward with real abandon. Lukebakio repeatedly showed an skill to destabilize Howe's defense, and the Magpies were probably relieved to reset at half-time.

The opening period ended with the keeper once more saving his side by tipping the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the next period, everything seemed finely balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, clearly buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three European games this campaign, played with the determination of a winger aiming to alter the balance in his team's direction, the Benfica attacker had different ideas.

The manager's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while 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, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the bar from a good spot. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's manager to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an additional striker in Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Match

Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese back Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's German centre-forward deep. However, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

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

When Harvey Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate Trubin's legs after receiving Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that the Magpies have four quick wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had shattered his hopes of securing the team's first Champions League result of the season.