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When the Benfica manager came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his players, home supporters were concerned about a difficult game. However those fears vanished due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from substitute the forward, ensuring Benfica's new manager would not cause any trouble for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Early Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team displayed their own combative style. Benfica clearly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's initial efforts to establish a smooth passing rhythm.

Adding to the home team's issues, key midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, started on the bench as they were recovering from illness and a knock respectively.

Before kick-off, the two managers shared a brief, cool greeting, and it quickly became apparent that Mourinho had told his team to quiet the crowd by delaying Newcastle and reducing the intensity whenever possible.

Critical Events and Turning Points

The visitors' strategy produced mixed results, but when Gordon and his teammates succeeded to break through the backline, they initially struggled to create good opportunities.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian attacker Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Nick Pope with a powerful shot that required an terrific one-handed stop. It's no surprise Pope retains hope for an England return in time for the global tournament.

But when Lukebakio directed a further shot against the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range stop from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing speed had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he neatly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick ball into the area proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' intense, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to pass a ground ball across the goal for the winger to polish off.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their side attacked with real abandon. Lukebakio consistently showed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the home team were probably grateful to regroup at half-time.

The first half ended with Pope again saving his side by tipping Lukebakio's shot wide of the post, and as the teams came out for the second half, everything seemed evenly poised.

While Gordon, clearly boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three European appearances this season, played with the determination of a winger set to shift the power balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a natural left-back, and Newcastle fans were in mouths every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the bar from a good spot. Rather, this absorbing game continued to move from one goal to the other, prompting Newcastle's coach to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an additional forward in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a risk that backfired.

Barnes Wins the Game

Until then, the away team, and especially their Portugal back Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and forcing the Germany centre-forward deep. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring winger.

The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper sent a wonderful throw in Barnes's direction. When Silva, for once, misjudged the bounce, the winger was away, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping commendable composure to fire a sublime shot past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that the Magpies have several very fast wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had destroyed his hopes of securing the team's first Champions League result of the campaign.