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When the Benfica manager came at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, local fans feared a tough game. But those fears disappeared thanks to a strike from the winger and two more from substitute Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's new manager would not cause pain for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Early Action

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team displayed their similar combative approach. Benfica clearly enjoyed disrupting the Magpies' initial attempts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, key players, Tonali and Joelinton, began on the bench as they continued convalescing from sickness and a knock respectively.

Before kick-off, the coaches exchanged a brief, cool greeting, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had told his side to quiet the crowd by slowing Newcastle and reducing the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle the backline, they at first found it hard to create clear opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgium winger Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous strike that required an excellent one-handed stop. No wonder the goalkeeper still hopes for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when Lukebakio directed a further shot off the post, the home side roused themselves. Murphy shot off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive close-range save from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

The England winger's blazing speed had caused problems for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after his teammate's early cross into the area paid off.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to pass a ground cross 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 parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now their players pushed forward with total freedom. The winger repeatedly displayed an skill to unsettle Newcastle's defense, and the Magpies were likely grateful to reset at the break.

The opening period concluded with Pope again rescuing his team by tipping Lukebakio's shot wide of the post, and as the teams came out for the next period, everything seemed evenly poised.

If Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this season, played with the determination of a winger aiming to shift the power balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had different ideas.

Mourinho's winger had previously shown that, while Dan Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and home fans were in mouths every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the crossbar from a good spot. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting the manager to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, threw on an additional striker in Franjo Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Match

Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in limiting Woltemade's room and forcing the German striker back. But now, with defender Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.

Newcastle's two changes was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper sent a superb long throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, Barnes was away, accelerating into the area before keeping commendable poise to lash a sublime shot past Trubin.

When Harvey Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate Trubin's legs after meeting Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. The Benfica manager had cautioned that Newcastle have four quick wingers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his hopes of securing Benfica's first Champions League result of the campaign.